Three years after he won the National League MVP, Cody Bellinger was non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week.
In fairness to the Dodgers, Bellinger has slashed just .203/.272/.376 with a .648 OPS over the last three campaigns, so it was a pretty easy decision to non-tender him, rather than bringing him back at his $18.1 million arbitration projection.
As a free agent, though, Bellinger should be of interest to at least a third of the league.
For as miserable as the last three years have been at the plate for Bellinger, he homered 39 times en route to winning the NL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and 47 times in his MVP campaign two seasons later. He's always had some holes in his swing and you wonder how he'll age given the violence of his swing. But there have to be more than a few hitting coaches in the league salivating about the possibility of getting to work with someone with the upside that Bellinger has shown he has.
What's more, Bellinger won a Gold Glove in right field in 2019, and has extensive experience playing in both center field and at first base. His positional flexibility only adds to his value on the open market.
And if things don't work out in terms of a rebound at the plate for Bellinger, any new team wouldn't be saddled with a long-term contract. Bellinger's agent, Scott Boras, has already said that the 27-year-old is most likely looking for a one-year, prove-it deal.
Certainly, his market isn't just limited to these teams, but here are five potential landing spots for Bellinger:
Toronto Blue Jays
Could the Toronto Blue Jays sign Cody Bellinger?
(Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
According to MLB.com's Jon Morosi, the Blue Jays have already shown interest in Bellinger. With the trade of Teoscar Hernández, there appears to be a legitimate possibility that George Springer moves to right field. Brandon Nimmo has been connected to the Blue Jays, but MLB Trade Rumors has projected that he'll sign for five years and $110 million. Bellinger could be had on a much shorter deal, and he's more than two years younger than Nimmo.
San Francisco Giants
Could the San Francisco Giants be a fit for Cody Bellinger?
(Harry How/Getty Images)
Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Giants have interest in both Bellinger and Nimmo. The Giants finished 2022 dead last in defensive runs saved (-52) and 28th in outs above average (-32). In some parks, you can get away with having subpar defenders in the outfield. Oracle Park is not one of those. Bellinger could open the season in center field for the Giants, while also being an option at first base, DH and both corner outfield spots for Gabe Kapler.
New York Mets
Could Cody Bellinger be a fit for the New York Mets?
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today)
If the aforementioned Nimmo prices his way out of New York, Bellinger would make sense as a fallback option. He could play in center field, or if the Mets are comfortable with Starling Marte playing there, Bellinger is excellent in right field as well. The Mets need another big bat in their lineup, specifically of the left-handed variety. At his best, Bellinger is that type of player.
Chicago Cubs
Could the Boston Red Sox sign Cody Bellinger?
(Harry How/Getty Images)
Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman says that he has "heard Bellinger connected with the Cubs." Bellinger could play center field, giving the Cubs a relatively deep outfield mix with Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Christopher Morel. Bellinger could also get at-bats at first base and DH for David Ross' squad, which went 39-31 after the All-Star Break.
Colorado Rockies
Could Cody Bellinger join the Colorado Rockies in free agency?
(Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
If you're looking to have a big offensive year before returning to the free-agent market, there are worse strategies than playing 81 home games at Coors Field. As MLB.com's Mark Feinsand noted, center field is probably the biggest need for a Rockies team that finished the season 43 games back of Bellinger and the Dodgers in the NL West. Nimmo, a Wyoming native, could be a fit. But Bellinger would require a much shorter commitment.
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