Dodgers Rumors: 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger to Be Non-Tendered, Will Become Free Agent

Bellinger will be a free agent if the Dodgers don't tender him a contract.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers could still try to sign him in free agency, which would probably be less than the $18 million he would have received in arbitration.

Bellinger was named the National League's Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row.

In his first season in the majors, Bellinger was named an All-Star and NL Freshman of the Year, but after his production dropped off, he bounced back in a big way the next season.

Bellinger set career marks across the board by hitting.305 with 47 home runs, 115RBI, 121 runs scored and 15 stolen bases in 156 games. Bellinger was named an All-Star for the second time and won his first and only gold and silver awards.

Bellinger hit.235 with 12 homers and 30 runs in 56 games in 2020 and.235 with 10 homers and 36 runs in 95 games in 2021.

He hit four round-trippers in the Dodgers' World Series-winning campaign of 2020, even though he wasn't a starter.

In the LA Dodgers' National League Division Series loss to the San Diego Padres, Bellinger had just one hit in seven at bats.

The Dodgers could lose a lot of free agents if Bellinger hits the open market.

The Los Angeles Angels have already signed starting pitcher Tyler Anderson and several other players are on the market.

If both Bellinger and Gallo walk, the Dodgers will have a depth issue if Mookie Betts, Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson return.

Bellinger is nowhere near the player he was in the past three seasons, but he could still be a high-ceiling reclamation project for a team in search of a potential steal.