Dodgers News: NL East Rival Seen as ‘Sleeper’ to Sign Cody Bellinger
Sunday marks the first workout for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are continuing to improve their squad as spring training approaches.
Including Monday’s trade of Caleb Ferguson and reported re-signing of Ryan Brasier, the Dodgers have done more to acquire new talent this offseason than most teams combined. Several talented free agents remain on the open market.
Among the players who have yet to sign a deal is a longtime Dodger fan favorite: Cody Bellinger. The 2019 National League MVP is seeking a huge payday one year after the Dodgers nontendered him, making him a free agent.
Bellinger subsequently signed a one-year “prove it” contract with the Chicago Cubs and delivered his best season since his MVP campaign. He nearly helped the rebuilding Cubs clinch a playoff berth — they finished a game behind the eventual pennant winners, the Arizona Diamondbacks — and could help a contending team do even more in the future.
One team with Bellinger on their radar is the Philadelphia Phillies, who have made back-to-back National League Championship Series appearances. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale said several executives view the Phillies as a potential landing spot for the lefty slugger.
Several executives think the Philadelphia Phillies could be a sleeper for one of the remaining marquee free agents in starter Jordan Montgomery or center fielder Cody Bellinger.
— Bob Nightengale via USA Today
Bellinger to the Phillies would bolster an already dominant lineup. Philadelphia has some of the National League’s best power hitters led by Bryce Harper, along with Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto, and Kyle Schwarber, to name a few.
Bellinger, 28, is coming off a season in which he collected 26 home runs, 97 RBIs, 153 hits, and a .881 OPS in 499 ABs. The Phillies would be scary with Bellinger in their lineup.
Some of Bellinger’s underlying metrics (namely his hard-hit rate, exit velocity and barrel percentage) suggest his 2023 campaign was more of a fluke than a revival. Unquestionably, Bellinger would boost the defense of any team that signs him. He’s more than held his own in center field and first base with the Dodgers, and could easily shift to a corner outfield position as well.
The Phillies struggled defensively at times last season. Although they have capable glove-first center fielders in Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache, Bellinger would be an upgrade over both players offensively.
Many teams could make a case for signing Bellinger, who is the best remaining free agent in a dwindling class of talented position players. Which team meets his asking price remains to be seen.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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