Is Cody Bellinger A Non-Tender Candidate?
The deadline for non-tendering players is tomorrow, November 17th. The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a season in which they were the favorites to win the World Series for the majority of the season. After winning 111 games in the regular season, these high expectations came to an abrupt halt after being knocked out by the San Diego Padres in the NLDS. The Dodgers have consistently been World Series contenders for the past 10 years, but only have one ring to show for it. While still successful, there seems to be a need for change. That change may be in the form of letting go of one of their homegrown stars.
Former Rookie of the Year and MVP Cody Bellinger is coming off a lackluster 2022 season. This season, Bellinger batted .210/.265/.389 with 19 home runs and 68 RBI in 144 games. These numbers are down once again from last year where he also battled to hit above .200. Bellinger’s struggle to return to his MVP form has been tough to watch given how enjoyable it is to watch him play at his peak. But for the Dodgers, it may be the end of the road with Belli.
Bellinger has one more year remaining on his contract. It’s speculated that Cody could be one of the main candidates to be non-tendered, as he was paid $17 million this year and is still eligible for arbitration. The Dodgers could still re-sign him even if they decide to non-tender him. Even if they decide to keep him, the option to trade Bellinger is also on the table.
Bellinger To Boston?
The Red Sox are in a position this offseason where they need to make moves to improve after a last place season. It has already been reported that Red Sox ownership is looking to spend this winter. With Xander Bogaerts a free agent and Rafael Devers looking for an extension, it leaves a lot left on the table for moves to be made. Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer, Chaim Bloom, has a keen eye for upside potential for players. And for a player like Cody Bellinger, the potential is there.
The Red Sox outfield was down right messy in 2022. Bringing Bellinger to Boston could help improve on an outfield that was treated as a rotating door for players like Jarren Duran and Jackie Bradley Jr.. While the bat still needs improving, Bellinger’s defense has remained consistently above average. Besides Aaron Judge, the free agent class this winter is shallow in outfielders. Bringing in a player like Bellinger could fill a hole in a struggling outfield.
A Change Of Scenery
All of this being said, it would be a gamble. Bellinger’s bat needs to improve and the price would have to be right. However, a change in scenery could be exactly what Cody Bellinger needs. The Dodgers’ star-studded lineup brings a lot of pressure for a player who is trying to return to their true form. While Boston is no cake walk for players, the opportunity to start over with a new team in a new city can be the spark Belli has been looking for. Along with being the piece the Red Sox are looking for.
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