Dodgers News: Where Does Cody Bellinger's Free Agency Stand?

Where will the former MVP call home going forward?

Former Dodgers MVP Cody Bellinger is still a free agent as we head toward the end of the 2023 calendar year. He is arguably the best positional player left on the open market and has put himself in line to land a massive contract. 

Like many of the other top free agents, the market was stalled until Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto made their free agency decision. With both of them landing with the Dodgers, the signings are expected to now come in bunches.

Bellinger had a great season with the Chicago Cubs last season, and it helped him earn the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. He hit .307 with 26 home runs and 97 runs batted in over his first year away from Los Angeles. 

With MLB super-agent Scott Boras representing him, Bellinger will receive a major contract. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported that Bellinger has been looking for a contract over $200 million.

The teams that have been most heavily linked with Bellinger this offseason are the incumbent Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays. The San Francisco Giants remain involved, but they may be looking elsewhere.

Bellinger thrived during his time with the Cubs and was the engine that made their offense go. He found a home at Wrigley Field, and it would be a great story for him to end up back in Chicago.

But the Blue Jays aren't going to go down without a fight. After missing out on Ohtani, they still want to make a splash in free agency. He would provide them with a nice power-hitting lefty bat in the lineup, and Toronto may be closer to contending than Chicago.

It remains unknown if Bellinger just wants to make the most money, or if he cares about going to a contender. Pairing him alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette would be fun to watch.  

His market is expected to really heat up very soon, and possibly see him make his selection in the early new year.