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The Dodgers are planning to get unkind player Cody Bellinger, making him a free agent, According to Ken Rosenthal the athlete.
The player is still eligible to re-sign with the Dodgers, but reportedly has to be less than his expected arbitration salary of about $18 million.
In addition to Rosenthal’s report, MLB Network’s John Morosi reported Earlier this week, the Blue Jays expressed early interest in Bellinger as the franchise looks to add a left-handed batter to the outfield.
After a solid start to his pro career from 2017-2019 that included being named NL Rookie of the Year in ’17 and NL Most Valuable Player in ’19, Bellinger has cooled off dramatically as a hitter since the COVID-19 shortened year in ’20. After not posting a season with a batting average below . 260 in his first three years at the big-league level, Bellinger posted three straight seasons of sub-par numbers at the plate. The outfielder hit just . 239 in ’20, .165 in ’21, and .210 this past season with 19 home runs and 68 RBIs.
Bellinger’s potential as a solid hitter remains, but he’s set to hit free agency at a bad time given his struggles at the plate the past few seasons. If he had continued on the trajectory of his first three seasons with the Dodgers, he likely would have secured a contract this winter and would have been in line for major payday in 2023.
Bellinger’s free agency will be one to watch as he is a great bouncer candidate from the left side of the plate. A friend’s hitter park would probably do him justice given his potential as a powerhouse in the middle of the lineup.
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