Former Los Angeles Dodgers MVP Cody Bellinger picked up his $27.5 million player option with the Chicago Cubs and will officially return to the Cubs for the 2025 season. Kiley McDaniel ESPN.

Bellinger first signed with the Cubs in December 2022 to a one-year deal with a 2024 option. Bellinger declined his 2024 option, but re-signed to a three-year, $80 million contract in February 2024. He is expected to make $27.5 million in 2025 and will have the opportunity to opt out of his contract again after the 2025 season.

Bellinger is batting .266/.325/.426 with 137 hits, 72 runs, 18 home runs and 78 RBI in the 2024 season.

Bellinger spent his entire career with the Dodgers before becoming a Cub. The Dodgers selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft and he made his MLB debut in 2017. Bellinger has been a star for the Dodgers since his rookie season.

Bellinger put together a record-setting rookie season, hitting 39 home runs and recording 97 RBIs despite not being called up until late April. He became the first Dodgers rookie to hit the cycle, breaking Mike Piazza’s rookie home run record. He was named an MLB All-Star, won the National League Rookie of the Year award and helped the Dodgers reach the World Series, where they lost to the Houston Astros.

After an incredible rookie season, Bellinger won the NL Championship Series MVP in 2018 and recorded the best season of his career in 2019. That year, Bellinger hit .305 with 170 hits, 121 runs batted in, 47 home runs and a career-high. 115 RBIs. He won the NL MVP award and made his second career MLB All-Star Game appearance.

Bellinger was unable to repeat his success over the next few seasons. His batting average dropped to .165 in 2021, and he hit just 10 home runs in 95 games that season. His numbers improved in 2022, but it wasn’t enough as the Dodgers decided to non-tender him and let him become a free agent. Bellinger joined the Cubs and bounced back in 2023, winning the NL Comeback Player of the Year award after hitting a career-high .307 with 26 home runs.