MLB: Cody Bellinger will receive a salary of $17.5 million in Chicago, Kevin Kiermaier $9 million in Toronto

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and former MVP Cody Bellinger finalized a one-year, $17.5 million deal on Wednesday.

Bellinger, who was named the 2019 National League MVP, was released from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Nov. 18 after posting a .210 batting average in 2022.

He hit 19 homers and had 60 runs in 144 games. He was also struck out 150 times.

In 2021, Bellinger had been limited to 95 games, due to three appearances on the injured list. He had at that time posted an anemic average of .165.

During the 2021 playoffs, the southpaw had recovered in fine fashion, hitting .353 in 12 games.

In 2020, during the schedule shortened by the pandemic, Bellinger had hit 12 long balls in 56 games.

Since his title of « MVP », the 27-year-old outfielder has had to deal with several injuries, including one to the right shoulder which required an operation, in November 2020.

When he entered the Majors in 2017, he received the honors of rookie of the year in the National.

Kiermaier will receive $9 million

For their part, the Toronto Blue Jays have formalized their one-year contract with veteran outfielder Kevin Kermaier.

The latter will pocket a salary of $ 9 million during the 2023 campaign.

The agreement reported on December 10 by various sources was conditional on Kiermaier successfully submitting to physical tests.

Kiermaier finished the season with a .228 batting average, along with hitting seven home runs and driving in 22 runs.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana native has won three Gold Gloves since the start of his career.