Dodgers predicted to reunite with $80M MVP, World Series champion, 2-time All-Star veteran

Hunter Cookston

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Dodgers predicted to reunite with $80M MVP, World Series champion, 2-time All-Star veteran image

The Los Angeles Dodgers are making some noise in the postseason, which feels surprising given their up-and-down regular season. However, the final week of the season should have been a clear hint of what was to come. Until their loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, the Dodgers hadn’t lost in 10 games. Manager Dave Roberts sent a clear message to the rest of the league after sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers.

“Before this season started, they said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let's get four more wins and really ruin baseball,” Roberts said on the air.

While all focus should be on the World Series, it’s never too early to look ahead to the offseason. The Dodgers could very well reunite with a familiar face—one who has made plenty of memories in Los Angeles.

“After winning NL MVP in 2019, Bellinger hit a combined .203/.272/.376 for a 76 OPS+ over 1,143 plate appearances in the three years that followed, which ultimately led to him being non-tendered. In three years since he left, he has a 125 OPS+ and 12.0 WAR in 412 games, and he could be atop the Dodgers list of potential targets to replace Michael Conforto as a left-handed hitting outfielder,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote.

Bellinger is expected to opt out of his remaining contract with the Yankees.

“As expected, New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger plans to opt out of his contract and become a free agent next month, a source told ESPN. Bellinger, 30, has a $25 million player option for next season. After a rebound season in his first year in pinstripes, he presumably will receive widespread interest in free agency—it should yield a lucrative multi-year contract,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wrote.

If the Dodgers decide to go all in with the Yankees, it will spark a bidding war. However, if any team is suited for a bidding war, it’s the Dodgers.

Bellinger is a versatile player willing to play anywhere on the field. The Dodgers would love having Bellinger back in blue.

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Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston began his career as a sportswriter for the Marion Tribune, where he covered local high school football, basketball and baseball. His passion for sports started at the age of four when he played his first year of tee ball. Growing up in Tennessee, he developed a deep love for the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves. Hunter is currently attending Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.