SURPRISE, Ariz. — After the Cubs shored up their starting rotation and their bullpen, the success of their offseason practically hinged on bringing back Cody Bellinger.
The front office, of course, never would have put it like that. There were other ways for the Cubs to bolster their offense.
The players had turned their focus to the group already in camp and the potential for internal growth.
But for the outside world to see an improved roster, the Cubs almost had to re-sign Bellinger.
Bellinger’s three-year, $80 million contract is expected to become official in the coming days. Before the Cubs can hold a news conference to reintroduce him, they must clear a spot on their 40-man roster for him.
‘‘The impact that he had on our group last year from a personality standpoint, from a versatility standpoint and, obviously, his ability to produce at a high level really made our team and put ourselves in position to have some success last year,’’ shortstop Dansby Swanson said. ‘‘And that’s something that we’ve been looking forward to being able to get back.’’
The shorter-term deal, with opt-outs after the first and second years, also leaves room in the coming years for prospects such as center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and first baseman Michael Busch to seize everyday roles in the future.
‘‘I think it’s a great deal for both sides,’’ veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks said. ‘‘Belli gets the [average annual value] on there, but he has his opt-outs also each year. And with the stable that we have here coming up, you see all the young guys and all the potential we have.
‘‘I see a lot of it on the pitching side, just because that’s where I try and focus, but I’ve got to face a lot of these young hitters in my [live batting-practice sessions], so I see a lot of that, too, man. They’re all going to be up there one day, and it’s probably going to happen sooner rather than later. We have so many options, and that’s just what you have to have in the game today.’’
The timing of the Cubs’ moves this winter inspired a lot of hand-wringing. They were the last team to make a major-league acquisition and, for the first week and a half of spring training, had yet to replace Bellinger’s offensive production.
In the end, the Cubs’ patient approach paid off. They signed left-hander Shota Imanaga to strengthen their rotation and veteran right-hander Hector Neris to bolster their bullpen. They traded for Busch and right-hander Yency Almonte to fill a hole at first base and deepen the bullpen.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was upfront about the Cubs’ interest in bringing back Bellinger from the start. It finally came together on the weekend.
‘‘They’ve definitely given us a roster that’s very strong and both has capitalized on the ability to add from the outside, as well as improve internally,’’ second baseman Nico Hoerner said of the front office. ‘‘And that’s a nice combination. To have youth as well as veterans, I just feel like we’re in a bit of a sweet spot in that way, to where we have a clubhouse that’s gonna be really motivated but also has done it a little bit.’’
The Cubs made their first real push out of rebuild mode last season. Powered by Bellinger’s bounce-back season, they outperformed projections and finished one game shy of a playoff berth. The question became whether it was a failed season without a trip to the playoffs.
This season, the answer is clear.
‘‘I just want to commend [the front office] for what they’ve done, not only this offseason but throughout the last few years, and what they’ve been able to build,’’ Swanson said. ‘‘Now it’s time to make all that work prove worthwhile.’’
