*Photo from The Athletic*
We've got a late news alert here, for the first time in blog history. The Los Angeles Dodgers and OF/1B Cody Bellinger have avoided arbitration with a one year, $17 million deal, according to Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.
The deal to avoid arbitration between Bellinger and the Dodgers was made before the CBA lockout went into effect at the start of December, but it had not yet been reported, until Thursday afternoon. The former MVP and 26 year old Bellinger was projected to earn $16.1 million after arbitration, according to MLB trade rumors, after making $16.1 million last season.
Last season was a bad one for Bellinger, as he was hampered by multiple injuries. When he was on the field, it wasn't any better. He struggled to a .165 batting average and .542 OPS, hitting 10 home runs and driving in 36 runs, playing in 95 regular season games. In 12 playoff games, Bellinger had one home run and 7 RBI's.
This season is Bellinger's 3rd year through arbitration, and he hits free agency following the 2023 season as things currently stand. He gets a 4th year of arbitration because he qualified to be a super two player in 2018, which grants him an extra year. Following his MVP winning season in 2019, Bellinger made $11.5 million in his first arbitration year, setting a record in that category.
Despite struggling with the bat, Bellinger did give the Dodgers one thing they desperately needed, an everyday centerfielder. After injuries ravaged their outfield last season, Bellinger spent most of his time, when healthy, in center field, and played well, also drawing starts at first base. The $17 million that the Dodgers are giving to Bellinger suggests that they believe he'll rebound from his bad hitting season.
Bellinger will be starting his 6th season in the majors whenever the 2022 season begins. The contract he signed to avoid arbitration is not guaranteed until Bellinger makes the Dodgers opening day roster, which is more of a formality then anything else, because he's practically a lock to make it.
Comments
Post a Comment