Yesterday the Los Angeles Dodgers opted not to tender Cody Bellinger a contract for the 2023 season. Bellinger earned $17 million in 2022 and likely would have earned a small bump for next season in arbitration.
The 27-year-old now becomes a free agent just three years after he won the 2019 National League MVP award, hitting 47 home runs and driving in 115 runs with a .305/.406/.629 slash line and 1.035 OPS. Two years before that, he was named NL Rookie of the Year, erupting on the scene with 39 home runs in 132 games. Where will he end up next?
According to our David Vassegh, both Florida teams the Rays and the Marlins have interest in Cody Bellinger and will look to try to sign up. The Dodgers also haven't shut the door on re-signing Bellinger on a cheaper deal. Here is what Andrew Friedman said:
“I wouldn’t necessarily say that this is a closing of the chapter of Cody and the Dodgers,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters on Friday. “We still very much believe in the talent of Cody and his competitive makeup, and we have interest in a reunion. We’ll continue talks with Cody and his group as he goes through this process on his end.”
Bellinger will likely have more teams coming after him as free agency goes on.
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