The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading into the Winter Meetings with a couple of clear needs - bullpen help and outfield depth - but so far, the front office has stayed quiet on the free agent front. That silence hasn’t been for lack of effort.
They were in the mix for Raisel Iglesias, who ultimately returned to the Braves on a one-year, $16 million deal, despite reportedly receiving a similar offer from L.A. Not long after, another reliever on their radar, Devin Williams, signed with the Mets.
So with two bullpen targets off the board, the Dodgers may now shift more attention to the outfield - and one name that keeps coming up is a familiar one: Cody Bellinger.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Bellinger is drawing serious interest from several big-market clubs, including the Mets, Yankees, Phillies - and yes, potentially the Dodgers. That makes at least four heavyweight franchises in the mix for the former MVP, who’s coming off a strong season and looking to cash in.
Bellinger became a free agent after declining a $25 million player option, opting instead for a $5 million buyout - half of which was picked up by the Cubs. He’d signed a three-year, $80 million deal with Chicago that included opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. The Yankees acquired him last December after missing out on re-signing Juan Soto, and Bellinger delivered a productive year in the Bronx.
In 152 games with the Yankees, Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 with 25 doubles, five triples, 29 home runs and 98 RBI. That’s the kind of balanced offensive profile that makes him an appealing target for teams looking to upgrade their lineup without sacrificing defense.
He also brings elite versatility - and that’s where the Dodgers’ interest makes a lot of sense.
L.A. knows Bellinger as well as anyone. Drafted by the team in the fourth round back in 2013, he developed into a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder and a key contributor during their run of dominance in the National League. And this past season, he made a bit of history with his defensive flexibility.
According to STATS, Bellinger became the first player in the Modern Era (since 1901) to start at least 59 games in left field, 38 in center and 48 in right in a single season. That kind of positional versatility is rare - and valuable - especially for a Dodgers team that could use some flexibility while sorting out the rest of its roster.
If Bellinger were to return to Los Angeles, he could slot into left field, where the Dodgers have a clear need, or take over center, which would allow the team to shift Andy Pages to a corner spot. There’s also the option of Bellinger giving Freddie Freeman the occasional breather at first base, a role he’s filled in the past.
Of course, Bellinger’s future is still up in the air. He’s expressed interest in staying with the Yankees, but that was before Trent Grisham accepted the qualifying offer and before New York reportedly turned its attention to Kyle Tucker. That could open the door for a reunion in L.A., especially if the Dodgers decide to make a splash.
For now, the Dodgers are playing it patiently. But with the Winter Meetings heating up and Bellinger’s market drawing attention from multiple contenders, don’t be surprised if Los Angeles steps back into familiar territory and makes a push for a player they know - and trust - to deliver.