Dodgers GM Talks Cody Bellinger’s Future with Organization
Cody Bellinger’s future with the Dodgers will definitely be one of the more interesting storylines this offseason.
Bellinger, who was drafted by the Dodgers in 2013, has spent his entire six-year career in LA.
But this offseason, the Dodgers have a decision to make. They could enter their final year of arbitration with Bellinger before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Or, they could non-tender him, and allow him to become a free agent this year.
In his exit interview on Tuesday, general manager Brandon Gomes spoke about his center fielder.
“That’s not something we’ve discussed much internally,” Gomes said in response to whether or not Bellinger would be back next season. “He’s had some good offensive stretches. Belli’s elite defense has continued to be there, and we still think there’s upside.”
Obviously, you don’t expect Gomes to clearly answer whether or not Bellinger will be back next season, but his answer definitely leads you to believe the Dodgers are considering bringing him back in 2023.
Bellinger hit .210 this regular season with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs. He started Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS, but was benched in Game 3 because left-hander Blake Snell was on the mound.
Then, in Game 4 with a righty on the mound, Bellinger was benched again, much to the surprise of just about everyone. That felt like the final nail in the coffin to Bellinger’s Dodger career, but we’ll have to wait and see how this offseason unfolds.
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Same old. Same old. “Evil Empire,” (yankees), would have got rid of him years ago.
The front office needs to treat players like humans not robots. The lost is NOT players lacking, it’s atmosphere and environment of the club house!
New front office and management is necessary to win!
It’s a tough place to play. It has gotten to Belli.
Seems to me that we can get more for $17M than what Bellinger brings to the party. Non tender him and see what kind of offers he gets. My guess is some team will take a flyer on him for $6-7M. I would take him back for that amount.
Bellinger shows one of the problems this team has. Hes too subdued, never saw him get angry, always has that dopey look on his face. This team needs somenfire in the belly. Hanser is a good cheerleader but they need a Kurt Gibson type guy to keep an edge. Maybe being so good made them a little to nonchalant.
And when has Roberts ever gotten thrown out of a gsme for arguing? I think he should get tossed on ourpose occasionally just to light up his team!
Get rid of Hellinger.
The question is are the Dodgers willing to pay Bellinger .$18 mil for 2023? –the likely amount from an arbitrator. If not he’ll be non-tendered. Perhaps the Padres would be interested, he would be an upgrade for them, their guy hit .184
Doc has been ejected at least twice, suspended once. Bella should be demoted to Triple AAA, give that young man a ton of practice all over again. Then bring him up.