Dodgers Weigh Cody Bellinger Reunion Amid Outfield Uncertainty
The Dodgers have been busy making headlines this offseason, but one storyline that continues to simmer just beneath the surface is the possibility of a reunion with Cody Bellinger. And let’s be honest-Dodgers fans are split down the middle on this one.
On one side, you've got the skeptics, still haunted by the steep drop-off that followed Bellinger’s 2019 MVP campaign. That version of Bellinger-slugging everything in sight, playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field-feels like a distant memory.
But on the other side, there’s a growing belief that the Bellinger we’ve seen in recent seasons is a different player: more mature, more consistent, and still very much a high-level contributor. He may never fully recapture his MVP form, but he’s re-established himself as a well above-average player during his time away from LA.
So where do the Dodgers stand in all this?
Right now, LA appears to be playing the long game. They’re reportedly watching the market closely-particularly in the case of Kyle Tucker-to see if prices drop.
That same approach seems to apply to Bellinger. Make no mistake: Bellinger won’t command the same years or dollars as Tucker, but he’s still in line for a significant deal.
The Dodgers are clearly interested, but they’re not looking to overpay or be rushed into a bidding war.
According to Jim Bowden, the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers are the three most likely landing spots for Bellinger, in that order. Of course, rankings like these are always fluid, especially with a Scott Boras client involved. Boras has hinted at mutual interest between Bellinger and the Dodgers, but with Boras, you always have to consider the possibility that it’s all part of the negotiation dance-especially if it helps drive up the price for teams like New York.
The history between Bellinger and the Dodgers adds another wrinkle. That 2022 non-tender was a tough but understandable decision at the time, given his struggles and salary projection.
Still, it was a cold move, and there’s always the question of whether any lingering tension could impact free agency talks. In this league, money usually wins out-but emotions can complicate things, especially when multiple contenders are in the mix.
There’s also the matter of how far the Dodgers are willing to go. If it comes down to the wire and LA is neck-and-neck with the Yankees and Mets, they’ll have to decide whether they’re willing to match or exceed those offers.
Sentimentality won’t earn them a discount. This is a business, and Bellinger-representing himself through Boras-is going to treat it like one.
From a roster standpoint, the Dodgers still have a clear need in the outfield. Sure, they’ve got some intriguing internal options-players like Dalton Rushing and Ryan Ward could see more opportunities-but those are long-term bets.
Bellinger, on the other hand, offers a more immediate solution. He brings elite defense, positional versatility, and a left-handed bat that fits well in the Dodgers’ lineup.
And let’s not ignore the emotional side of this. A large segment of the fanbase would welcome Bellinger back with open arms.
He’s a former Rookie of the Year, MVP, and World Series champion in Dodger blue. There’s a narrative appeal here-one that ends with Bellinger returning home to finish what he started.
But for that to happen, both sides will need to let the past be the past. If the Dodgers are serious about bringing Bellinger back, they’ll need to be competitive with their offer. If not, there’s a strong chance he ends up back in New York, where both the Yankees and Mets are ready to pounce.
For now, the waiting game continues. But if the Dodgers want to solidify their outfield and bring a fan favorite back into the fold, the time to act may be coming sooner than later.