Cody Bellinger will not be heading into the free agent frenzy.
On Saturday, Bellinger opted into his $27.5 million player option with the Cubs for the 2025 season, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.
The three-year, $80 million deal Bellinger signed with Chicago in the 2024 offseason included opt-outs following both the 2024 season and 2025 season.
He will now not be an option for either the Yankees or Mets, who are both likely gearing up to bid big money for Juan Soto, who is searching for a $700 million contract.
Bellinger, 29, who had struggled after a shoulder injury with the Dodgers, had a resurgence in 2023, looking a bit more like his MVP form, as he won a Silver Slugger and finished 10th in the MVP voting.
In 2024, he took a bit of a dip but still was better than league average.
Bellinger kept a .266 batting average with a .751 OPS — down from 2023’s .881.
He also crushed 18 home runs and collected 78 RBIs.
With Bellinger extending his stay for the upcoming season, the Cubs may have to play some musical chairs after seeing growth from both Michael Busch at first base and Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field.
Left and right field have been held down by Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, respectively, for the last three seasons.
