With Michael Conforto almost a certainty to not return to the ballclub, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a vacant outfield spot to fill this offseason.
It’ll be a bit of a game of Tetris to best organize the preexisting outfielders. Truthfully, Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernandez are better suited to be corner outfielders given Hernandez’s lack of range, and Pages possessing one of the strongest arms in the game.
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Under this premise, the goal for LA involves inking someone to play centerfield … unless perhaps a Steven Kwan becomes available in which case Pages would man the centerfield spot in theory.
Jeff Passan of ESPN — one of the most dialed-in analysts in the sport — believes that the Dodgers could look to have a reunion with a former beloved team member that would fill a gigantic hole in the outfield.
“Beyond the Yankees, who would like a return engagement with [Cody] Bellinger … the Blue Jays see him as a perfectly good alternative to Tucker. And the Dodgers, who nontendered Bellinger three years ago, have expressed interest as they peruse the outfield market.”
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Bellinger has the obvious history with the franchise having been drafted by the Dodgers. He also was the Rookie of the Year with the ballclub in 2017 and the NL MVP two years later. His tenure in LA fell off a cliff where he struggled immensely. Some of that may have been due to the freaky accident celebrating with Kiké Hernandez in which he injured his shoulder.
Since then, he’s bounced back and been a very solid player in Chicago for the Cubs and most recently with the New York Yankees.
Courtesy of Baseball Savant, the graphic above showcases Bellinger’s past year. His fielding metrics are elite, as was his ability to not strike out. Those are two facets LA covets in addition to his defensive versatility.
There’s also a bit of a question mark for guys returning to places they once had success in. However, as a pure fit, Bellinger does make a lot of sense. He’d also be a cheaper alternative to Kyle Tucker.
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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5 Responses
Get Jarren Duran instead!
Jarren Duran would be a great get, but he’s going to be very expensive in terms of prospects and the Dodgers may not want to part with them to add him
They would part with them if it means threepeat.
I would definitely rather have Bellinger than Tucker. Less years, less money and more versatile. Still would rather go after Bader.
Yeah, we get that already but the Dodgers have no interest in Bader. Bellinger on the other hand could play right field with Teoscar moving back to Left where is sometimes lackadaisical defense could be better shielded on defense. Belli has a good arm and good speed and some consistent sock and he only strikes out 13% of the time comepared to 35% of the time with Confort-0-fer and 30% of the time with Teoscar. He would situate well in the back half of the batting order 6 thru 9 which would definitely be an upgrade over last year, He is a Scott BorAss client which is a pain but give him 25 million for 5 years and let the chips fall where they may. He is only 30 so he is in his prime. If he really wants to comeback, he will take it. Otherwise, let home play for someone else dumb enough to overpay. The fact that he doesn’t strike out and hit into dpuble plays makes him worth it right now. The ball is in his court…