Dodgers News: Andrew Friedman Sheds Light on Conversations with Cody Bellinger
On Friday afternoon, the Dodgers made the difficult decision to non-tender outfielder Cody Bellinger, who would have been due to make about $18 million in arbitration. Bellinger, of course, was the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year and the 2019 NL Most Valuable Player, but he’s posted a combined OPS+ of just 64 over the past two seasons. Shoulder and leg injuries surely played a part in his struggles, but thus far he hasn’t been able to get things figured out offensively.
After the announcement came down, Los Angeles president of baseball operations talked with the media about how tough the decision was.
#Dodgers Andrew Friedman on non-tendering Bellinger: "It hasn't played out as we all would have hoped or expected and therefore we had to make a difficult decision of non-tendering."
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) November 19, 2022
The non-tender doesn’t necessarily mean Bellinger’s time with the Dodgers is done, though. He’s now a free agent, free to sign with any team, and Los Angeles is interested in having him back on a contract closer to his market value.
#Dodgers Andrew Friedman on Cody Bellinger: "We have interest in a reunion and we'll continue talks with Cody and his group as he goes through this process."
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) November 19, 2022
Bellinger might be anxious to sign with someone quickly, just to get it over with so he can get back to the business of fixing his swing. The Arizona native has spent time at Camelback Ranch in Glendale already this offseason, but obviously now that he’s no longer a Dodger that will cease.
It’s rare — in fact, unprecedented — to see a team non-tender a former MVP, but it just underscores how meteoric Bellinger’s rise was and how whatever-the-opposite-of-meteoric-is his decline has been.
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Time for Aaron Judge!
Coaches, along with J Harrison, & Nomar have tried talking to Bellinger about the impossibility of his current stance and swing. Bellinger is as hard headed as anyone and has refused to listen to people that know about swing mechanics. That in a word is incredibly stupid.
I am sure he will get plenty of money, he certainly hasn’t earned his pay the last 2 years. I have lost any good thoughts for him as he continued to strike out with RISM and refused to be a team guy and move the runner. That to me is unconscionable. It is a Team game. Not a ME game.
Not happening