Dodgers Rumors: MLB Insider Doesn’t See a Return to LA for Cody Bellinger This Offseason
Old friend Cody Bellinger had a renaissance season in 2023. After struggling mightily in 2021 and 2022, the Dodgers non-tendered the former 2019 NL MVP rather than sign him for $17 million. He went on to sign a 1 year $17.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs with a mutual option for $12 million in 2024. After the season he just had, Bellinger is expected to hit free agency this offseason and sign a lucrative multi-year deal.
Bleacher Report broke down their likely landing spots for the premier center fielder this offseason:
As much as Dodgers fans would love to see Belli don his iconic #35 in crisp home whites, Bleacher Report does not see a likely union between sides.
In the bubble of the 2020 playoffs, Cody famously injured his shoulder after celebrating a home run with then-teammate Kiké Hernandez. In the two years following that moment, Cody did not produce near the level the club nor the fans expected hitting .193/.256/.611. No matter the reason anyone speculates, once he left Los Angeles he returned to form. This past year he hit .307/.356/.881 with 26 home runs and 20 stolen bases.
A free agency signing requires agreement on both sides. Both the Dodgers have to want Belli back in LA, and Cody needs to want to return to the team that drafted him.
The Dodgers went young in 2023. They relied on a rookie James Outman to roam center field for the majority of the year. Despite a lull of all lulls in the middle of the summer, the move paid off for them. Outman was one of their most electric players throughout the year making highlight-reel catches and hitting upper deck bombs.
For Cody, there might not be a desire to return. In the 2022 playoffs, facing elimination, the front office elected to start Trayce Thompson in center field over Cody. That may have created a chasm too deep to repair.
Wherever Cody Bellinger signs this offseason, Dodger fans will root for him and cherish the times that he hit Belli-bombs at the Ravine.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
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Some team will give him too much money for too many years and live to regret it.
He would essentially replace Peralta in the lineup. Potentially a huge gain. His defense would be as good as Peralta’s or better. It would relieve the Dodgers of chasing after Juan Soto in free agency after the 2024 season. His combination of defense and if he maintains his .881 OPS, his value is probably close to Juan Soto’s value as a player, if not quite as good. If he maintains .881 OPS. Where to play? CF, move Outman to LF. RF, move Betts to 2B. Also a potential successor to Freddie Freeman at 1B after 2027. How does he feel about the Dodgers, how do they feel about him? Aside from the feelings, it makes sense.
This one is kinda far fetched. The Dodgers proved they could not “fix” whatever was wrong with Bellinger and then cut him. Why, when he will have many suitors, would they even be a consideration for him? Seriously.