Winter Meetings are in full swing and big contracts are being handed out.  The Brewers have made one small signing but are unlikely to sign any big name free agents.  They could look to upgrade via trade.  Within the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs just signed a former MVP outfielder.  They signed Cody Bellinger.

Breaking: Bellinger to Cubs

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2022

Rumors prior to the signing indicated that Bellinger wanted to sign a one year deal near $20MM.  He is looking at 2023 as a bounce back season and then will hit the open market again.  It appears he will be getting his shot at redemption with the Cubs.  He also will be getting paid $17.5MM.

Outfielder Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a one-year, $17.5 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2022

 How does Bellinger signing with a NL Central team impact the Brewers?

It was not that long ago that Bellinger and Christian Yelich were competing against one another for the 2019 MVP award.  Bellinger ended up winning the award after Yelich broke his knee cap late in the season.  Both of these players have not returned to that level of performance since that year. 

Now Yelich and Bellinger will be competing against one another in the same division.  With all respect to Bellinger, hopefully 2023 is not a bounce back year for him.  If he returns to MVP form he is a force to be reckon with.  

The Cubs have also reportedly been in on several other free agents.  They could look to add more players in order to close the gab between them, the Brewers, and Cardinals.

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