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Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers have agreed on a one-year, $17 million contract to avoid arbitration, EPSN’s Jeff Passan reports. A dismal year with a strong playoff finish — a player the Dodgers have’t given up on just yet.
Some pre-Christmas housekeeping: OF/1B Cody Bellinger and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a one-year, $17 million contract to avoid arbitration before the lockout, sources tell me and @kileymcd. Deal is long done. Just wasn't reported yet. News at ESPN: https://t.co/NsMzj6szyr
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 23, 2021
As Passan tweets, Bellinger struggled for a large part of the 2021 campaign, however a late surge in the postseason should provide hope. The 26-year-old MVP slashed .165/.240/.302 last year as he dealt with a non-displaced rib fracture. He also came into Spring Training nursing a shoulder injury.
The Dodgers really didn’t have much choice here. They weren’t letting a former MVP go and the time to let him go would be following the 2023 season, barring a bounce back. Provided he’s healthy, Bellinger will walk into free agency at 28-years-old with a National League MVP in his back pocket — another Boras client that’ll be looking for long-term security on a 10-year deal.
Can’t wait for Cody Bellinger redemption in 2022 😭pic.twitter.com/ASgXASg9Bq
— J (@JDodgersLA) December 23, 2021
