The Los Angeles Dodgers will soon have a difficult decision to make ahead of today’s 8 p.m. Eastern Time deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.
Former National League MVP Cody Bellinger appears to be a candidate for a non-tender.
The slugger has fallen on hard times ever since his MVP season in 2019.
Bellinger was also Rookie of the Year in 2017, but aside from those two accolades, the Dodgers outfielder has struggled immensely at the plate.
This past season, Bellinger hit just .210 with 19 home runs and 68 RBI, while posting a poor OPS of .654.
Jon Morosi provided an update on the situation, saying that while the Dodgers have yet to make a decision on the former MVP and Rookie of the Year, he is likely to be removed from the Dodgers roster in some capacity by the end of the day, whether it be via trade or non-tender.
While I'm told the #Dodgers have not made a final decision on Cody Bellinger's future, the chances are better than 50/50 that he will be removed from the roster via trade or non-tender by 8 pm ET today. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 18, 2022
Bellinger Could Be On The Move
This could spell the end for Bellinger in Los Angeles, at least with the Dodgers.
The 27-year-old has not been the same since his MVP season and has proven to be somewhat of a disappointment during his tenure with the Dodgers.
Bellinger has a lifetime batting average of just .248.
Drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, Bellinger made it to the big leagues in 2017 and immediately won the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Two years later, he was the NL MVP.
If he is let go by the Dodgers, then perhaps a team looking for an outfielder or a left-handed bat could come calling for his services.
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