The Cubs’ offseason plans hinge on the status of one player: Cody Bellinger.

For the second straight offseason, Bellinger’s status will hang over this franchise as they try to build a team that gets over the hump and makes it into the playoff field in 2025.

Bellinger signed a 3-year, $80 million contract with the Cubs prior to the 2024 season but he can opt out and hit the free agent market.

His decision will be due 5 days after the World Series ends and until then, the Cubs are in limbo.

If he opts out, they will have a serious hole to fill in the middle of their order (Bellinger hit 2nd, 3rd or 4th in the Cubs lineup in 2024).

If he returns to the Cubs in 2025, then the question becomes: What will – or what can – the Cubs do to improve this roster that finished 83-79 for the 2nd straight season?

It’s actually the exact same position the team was in at this time last year.

Bellinger and the Cubs held a mutual option for the 2024 season, but it was largely assumed he would elect free agency.

Even he admitted this year is a lot more complicated.

“I’d probably say it’s harder,” Bellinger said.

[WATCH: Cody Bellinger reflects on 2024, looks ahead to crucial offseason decision]

As the Cubs season wrapped up Sunday evening, Bellinger stood at his empty locker inside the Cubs clubhouse. His bags were nestled next to him, already packed and ready to go.

“I’m gonna go back [home] and for a few days, enjoy time with my family,” he said. “For me, there’s no reason to wait if the answer is there. Just have continuous conversations and kinda figure out what’s best for me and my family.

“Just gonna relax first and then we’ll figure it out.”

Bellinger acknowledged that during the season, it’s hard to commit much thought to his future because he’s so caught up in the day-to-day grind.

Last year, it was an easy call. Bellinger finished 10th in National League MVP voting in 2023 with 26 homers, 97 RBI, a .307 batting average and an .881 OPS.

Bellinger wasn’t able to duplicate that production in 2024, despite playing the same number of games (130). He missed time with fractured ribs and then later with a broken finger and came back early from both injuries, playing through pain that impacted his performance to some degree.

He finished with a .266/.325/.426 slash line (.751 OPS), 18 homers, 78 RBI and 72 runs scored.

Bellinger – who turned 29 in July – is set to make $27.5 million in 2025 if he remains with the Cubs. He is also set to make $25 million in 2026, though the same opt-out exists.

Will he fetch more than that on the open market?

It’s a question nobody can answer right now.

It is a free agent market that will be headlined by Juan Soto but there are also some other impact bats available (Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, Willy Adames, Anthony Santander).

Inside the Cubs clubhouse, it’s obvious where they lean.

“He’s such a dynamic player,” Dansby Swanson said. “He obviously makes our lineup better, the defensive versatility … and obviously just what he means to our group as a personality. He’s a phenomenal baseball player.

“He’s one-of-a-kind in terms of a teammate. Love that guy. Told him I better be able to call him a little bit more this offseason than I was allowed to last offseason.

“But yeah, we’re so happy that he’s here. Obviously has a decision to make and I know he’ll be educated to make the best decision for what he wants to do. He knows that we love him, and that’s all there really is to it.”

[WATCH: Dansby Swanson evaluates 2024 Cubs season]

If Bellinger leaves, the Cubs will have more financial flexibility but the top priority of the offseason will shift to finding a star-level bat for the middle of the order.

If he returns, Jed Hoyer’s front office will have to get creative to find a way to improve an offense that struggled with inconsistency throughout the 2024 season.

With the emergence of Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field down the stretch, that pushed Bellinger to right field and Seiya Suzuki to a full-time DH while Michael Busch held down first base.

The Cubs can certainly roll with that same lineup in 2025 but that will leave limited opportunities to improve the offense and it also ensures top prospects Kevin Alcántara and Owen Caissie will be blocked if everybody stays healthy.

It’s a conundrum with no clear answers.

Bellinger’s decision is still a month away and while he wouldn’t tip his hand, he did offer up an appreciation of the city of Chicago.

“It’s beautiful,” he said. “I don’t think that there is a better place to play in the summertime. Once you get past April, it really is beautiful and Wrigley Field in general is beautiful.

“Love the fans – they’re very knowledgeable, very passionate. As a player, you feel the love and you feel the passion. Something I’ll never take for granted. A lot of good things about this organization and fans and everything.”