Cody Bellinger News: Dave Roberts Wishes Dodgers Could Have Done More to Help Outfielder
Your Los Angeles Dodgers lost a ton of great players this offseason. Not only were they talented players, but they were great people off the field. One player that fits that mold is former Dodger MVP and Rookie of the Year Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger is now a member of the Chicago Cubs after being non-tendered by the Dodgers in mid-November. He signed with the Cubbies in mid-December on a one-year deal worth $17.5 million.
Chicago needed to fill a center field spot, and they found their guy in Belli.
It was challenging for the Dodgers brass to let go of their All-Star outfielder. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said to the media he wishes the best for Belli, and wishes they could have done more for him (per the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett).
"I think the whole net of it was a great run for Cody, for the Dodgers," Roberts said. "I wish we could have done more to support him and get more consistency. But our hope is that the change of scenery will kind of tap into something that’s already in there that we know. I’ll always root for Cody."
Cody's first three years as a pro were as good as they could get. He won Rookie of the Year, NLCS MVP, was a two-time All-Star, and an MVP in that span; however, things weren't so great after that.
From 2020-2022, Bellinger was among the worst everyday hitters in the league, and it looked like he had lost his skills overnight. However, his defense was never questioned as he remained a Gold Glove-level defender in center field. His offense was a huge liability for the Boys in Blue, though, as he constantly messed with his stance and was inconsistent at best.
It's unfortunate things weren't able to work out here in Los Angeles, especially with LA being known to revive players' careers. Belli was primed to be the next great Dodger, and it sucked seeing his Dodger career end the way it did. Maybe a change of scenery is what was needed from Cody.
We will forever be fortunate for Cody and the joy he brought to the Dodgers organization and Los Angeles. We wish him well in Chicago, and we hope he finds himself again.
