MLB insider offers massive prediction for pivotal Chicago Cubs offseason

The decision of the offseason will be what Cody Bellinger decides to do with the $27.5MM player option in his contract for the 2024 season.

It was among the talking points that Scott Boras had when talking all things Cubs earlier this week but the agent confirmed that Bellinger hasn't made his decision yet.

There is very little reason for Bellinger to have made that decision yet, considering he isn't required to do so until the offseason and a hot streak at the end of the season could change his current course of thinking. Along those lines, a reminder of Marcus Stroman's opt-out last season.

Considering the struggles and ineffectiveness that Stroman had during the second half of the 2023 season, the overwhelming expectation was that he was going to exercise his player option for 2024 and return to the Cubs at a mark of $21MM. To just about everyone's surprise, Stroman opted out his deal with the Cubs, signing a two-year deal with the New York Yankees worth $37MM.

Stroman's case is a reason why a player's decision regarding an opt-out clause can never be viewed as a certainty until the decision is made. Which is why for Bellinger, the decision isn't as easy.

That was among the revelations of Jon Heyman when talking about Bellinger's decision before ultimately guessing that the outfielder will be back with the Cubs next season.

Cody Bellinger's 2024 season may be a talking point for Cubs' offense as a whole.

Whether it was Boras, Ian Happ in a recent interview with 670 The Score, or now, Heyman, it seems that park factor is going to be a talking for the Cubs when reviewing their offensive inconsistencies this season. Wrigley Field has played like a pitcher-friendly ballpark this season.

At Wrigley Field this season, Bellinger is slashing .249/.308/.413 with a wRC+ of 104. On the road this season, Bellinger is slashing .280/.344/.436 with a wRC+ of 113. The power has been better for Bellinger at Wrigley Field this season based on ISO rating but he has both 8 home runs at Wrigley Field and on the road.

While Bellinger has been a better hitter on the road this season, the power has been about the same. That, if there is a leaning factor in his decision, may be the reason why he decides to return to the Cubs with the $27.5MM price tag for next season.