Reds players unfazed by Cubs re-signing Bellinger: 'Doesn't matter'
The Cincinnati Reds aren't worried by the Chicago Cubs re-signing Cody Bellinger and believe they're still better than their NL Central rivals heading into the 2024 campaign.
"The way I look at it is, 'Cool. Let's go beat them with Cody Bellinger,'" utility man Spencer Steer told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Chicago reportedly re-signed Bellinger to a three-year, $80-million deal after the former NL MVP put together a resurgent 2023 campaign with the team.
The signing doesn't change anything, according to Steer, who believes the Reds' additions this offseason trump what the Cubs have done.
"It doesn't matter," Steer said. "They had him last year. I think we wound up winning the series against them over the season. Let's go do it again."
The Reds finished last season one game behind the Cubs in the standings but went out and spent $108 million on free agents like Jeimer Candelario, Frankie Montas, Nick Martinez, and Emilio Pagán to surround their budding young core with veteran experience.
Meanwhile, the Cubs enter 2024 with roughly the same roster as last season, with Shota Imanaga replacing Marcus Stroman in the rotation and Héctor Neris joining the bullpen.
"We have a lot more depth, pitching, hitting - we have everything," Reds second baseman Jonathan India said. "Our team's stacked."