3 potential landing spots for Cody Bellinger if non-tendered

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If Cody Bellinger no longer has a future with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where are three potential destinations for the former Rookie of the Year and MVP to call home in 2023 and beyond?

It is a distinct possibility that the 27-year-old Bellinger could be looking for a new home after Friday’s non-tender deadline (set for 8 p.m. Eastern time). With a projected salary topping $18 million for 2023 and back-to-back disappointing seasons for the Dodgers (combined .193/.256/.355 slash line in 900 plate appearances over his last 239 games), it’s possible Los Angeles moves on from Bellinger, despite all of the hardware he has accumulated over in his six-year MLB career.

UPDATE: Bellinger was non-tendered, so he is officially a free agent.

If that’s the case, which three teams might make sense for Bellinger and why? Let’s look at some options.

Toronto Blue Jays would make sense for Cody Bellinger

The Blue Jays have been looking for a left-handed bat in the outfield since they made last season’s trade for Raimel Tapia. With Tapia designated for assignment earlier in the month, that quest continues in Toronto.

Bellinger could be given the chance for a fresh start in the American League and be thrown right back in the chase for a World Series, a chase where his postseason experience might pay dividends in the clubhouse and on the field. The Blue Jays could use his bat in the lineup … provided he can overcome the issues that plagued him the last two seasons in Los Angeles (including a 26.9 and 27.3 percent strikeout rate in 2021 and 2022, respectively).

Toronto will spend money this offseason and the Jays have shaken up the outfield already this offseason. Will they spend that money on Bellinger?

Jul 28, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) hits a two run double in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colorado Rockies would make sense for Cody Bellinger

It’s already been well established that the Rockies are looking for someone to play center field who can lengthen the lineup. Add in a left-handed bat to that description and Bellinger could fit it perfectly in the Mountain Time Zone.

The Rockies have been linked to Brandon Nimmo in free agency, but he will come with a very high price tag. Will the Rockies be willing to spend for him, adding another $100-million plus player with Kris Bryant’s contract (seven years, $182 million) already on the books? It’s possible, but it also seems unlikely if the bidding war for his services gets too hot.

Bellinger is already familiar with what it takes to roam the massive outfield in Denver and has a lifetime .289/.382/.542 slash line in 191 plate appearances at Coors Field. Playing in Denver could be a perfect tonic in order to revive his career.

In a perfect, purple-tinted scenario, Colorado could sign Bellinger and give him a chance to restart his career while showing a division rival they shouldn’t have given up on him. It could make for a great comeback story in the NL West … and give the Rockies an outfield of Kris Bryant, Cody Bellinger, and Charlie Blackmon. Go back in your time machine to 2018 and tell yourself that’s a possibility.

May 22, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The Philadelphia Phillies could be a fit for Cody Bellinger

According to FanGraphs, only three teams (Rockies, Nationals, and Reds) are projected to have a lower fWAR out of their center fielders in 2023 than the defending National League champion Phillies. With Brandon Marsh and Matt Vierling likely to hold down the position, it seems like a spot where Philadelphia could improve their chances of success by bringing Bellinger into the City of Brotherly Love.

Granted, if Bellinger gets off to a slow start, Phillies fans will let him know about it. However, with Bryce Harper already scheduled to miss at least some of the 2023 season following his upcoming surgery, the Phillies will be looking to replace that offense somehow. Could Bellinger be an answer for that?

On the surface, it may seem a bit of a long shot. However, Philadelphia, like Toronto, could give Bellinger a chance to restart his career and be on a team with playoff aspirations. By signing him, the defending NL champs could potentially shore up an area of weakness and show the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets they can load up their roster as well in what will be a stacked division in 2023.

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Where do you think Bellinger heads if his Dodgers days are over? Let us know in the comments section below.

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