Report: Houston Astros Showing Interest in Cody Bellinger

According to a new report, the Houston Astros are interested in 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger.
Report: Houston Astros Showing Interest in Cody Bellinger
Report: Houston Astros Showing Interest in Cody Bellinger /
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Positional versatility was key to the Houston Astros success in 2022.

Aledmys Díaz was a huge part of the puzzle at Minute Maid Park, not just because because he could play multiple positions, but because he could do so as an average hitter.

The more unique a defender is, the more valuable a hitter he becomes. Shortstops, center fielders and catchers are more frequently given passes for their lackluster offense, but a premium defensive player who can even be a mediocre offensive player at the Major League level is far more valuable.

Thus, Cody Bellinger comes into the fold.

According to a new report by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Astros are one of 11 teams showing interest in the 2019 NL MVP.

Though Bellinger has been a downright terrible hitter since 2021, his defense makes him a candidate to start every night, while the prospect of a bounceback further highlights his value.

Bellinger is a Gold Glove-caliber fielder at all three outfield positions and first base, areas in which the Astros are uniformly lacking.

Heyman believes Bellinger is looking for no more than a one-year deal to "reset his value", and with so much competition for such a short timespan, his AAV could rise to astronomical heights. For a player with an OPS of .611 over his last 900 plate appearances, Bellinger might command a monster deal.

Look for the Astros to spend near $16 million to command his services in 2023.

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

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  2. Mariners Fans Inexplicably Outraged Following Houston Astros' Social Media Post About Sweep
  3. Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
  4. Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
  5. Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
  6. Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
  7. Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
  8. Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
  9. Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
  10. Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball

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Ben Silver
BEN SILVER

Ben Silver is an editor for Inside the Astros. A graduate of Boston University, Ben formerly covered the Phillies for PhilliesNation.com. Follow him on Twittter @BenHSilver.