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There's been some movement on the MLB free agency front with the Los Angeles Dodgers favored to land Cody Bellinger at 2-1 odds.
The Chicago Cubs center fielder was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year as voted by his peers. He posted an .881 OPS with 26 home runs in 2023.
“This whole last offseason, I wanted to prepare myself as best I could and go out and play the game of baseball that I knew I could play,” Bellinger said in a video release by MLBPA Thursday evening. “I’m glad that I was able to go out and show it for myself and for my family. I learned a lot this year. The mental grind, the physical grind, everybody’s road to success is different and everybody’s story is different.”
On Monday, the Cubs extended Bellinger a one-year qualifying offer worth $20.325 million for the 2024 season, an offer he is likely to decline.
“We'd love to bring him back. We'll have a lot of conversations with him,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said at the end of the season. “Obviously it's going to play out for a while.”
The Philadelphila Phillies are also seen as potential suitors for Bellinger with the second shortest odds, 3/1.
From MLB.com:
Any interest on Philadelphia’s part would probably be contingent on Bryce Harper holding up at first base. If the Phils are convinced he’s an everyday option there, they could kick Kyle Schwarber to designated hitter and leave open a corner outfield spot for Bellinger. (The Phils could also pursue Bellinger as a first base option if Harper can’t play the field, though that’d leave Schwarber in a corner outfield spot.) It might not be the top priority — rotation depth and perhaps third base are bigger concerns — but it’d be viable if Harper can defend. Phils’ president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has never been afraid to push in for big names.
Cody Bellinger Next Team
Los Angeles Dodgers 2/1
Philadelphia Phillies 3/1
Houston Astros 5/1
New York Yankees 5/1
San Francisco Giants 7/1
Boston Red Sox 10/1
New York Mets 12/1
Baltimore Orioles 14/1
Miami Marlins 14/1
Toronto Blue Jays 16/1
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
