Blue Jays Reportedly Expressing Interest in Free Agent Cody Bellinger
The search for Teoscar Hernández’s replacement continues.
After trading Hernández to the Seattle Mariners last week, the Toronto Blue Jays are still on the hunt to fill their massive void in right field, with several potential options at their disposal. And it appears the franchise is eyeing a former National League MVP Award winner.
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the organization has reportedly expressed interest in free agent Cody Bellinger. Morosi also notes that Toronto held trade discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 27-year-old hit the open market.
Bellinger was non-tendered by the Dodgers earlier this off-season, making him a free agent. The 6-foot-4 outfielder, a fourth-round selection by the Dodgers in 2013, was projected to earn $18.1 million next season through his final year of arbitration.
But amid his horrendous offensive woes, the club ultimately decided it would be best if both sides parted ways, cutting ties with the two-time All-Star.
The 2017 NL Rookie of the Year winner has struggled to replicate his stellar offensive results since winning his NL MVP trophy in 2019, where he hit .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs and a 161 wRC+ across 156 games.
Bellinger took a major step backward the following campaign, hitting .239/.333/.455 with 12 round-trippers and a 112 wRC+ through 243 plate appearances during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. It was then when concern started to seep in regarding his future in Los Angeles.
The left-hander’s offensive struggles have become even more alarming recently, as he’s failed to hit for both contact and power while witnessing his strikeout totals increase dramatically.
Over the last two seasons, Bellinger has posted 29 home runs, a 69 wRC+ and a .193/.256/.355 slash line over 239 contests. His plate discipline has also been impacted, resulting in a 27.1 percent strikeout rate, up 10.9 percent from 2019.
Unless the Blue Jays can correct Bellinger’s issues, the veteran outfielder would be a significant step down from Hernández’s 2022 production, which included 25 home runs, a 129 wRC+ and a .267/.316/.491 slash line. He would provide more offensive balance, though.
The 2019 Gold Glove winner would also improve the team’s outfield defence as he’s tied for 16th in DRS (+13) and sits 20th in OAA (+16) among qualified big-league centre-fielders since 2018, according to FanGraphs.
With Bellinger added to the mix, Toronto could shift George Springer from centre to right field, where he’d likely encounter fewer bumps and bruises long-term. The 33-year-old also grades much more favourably in right, registering a +12 DRS and +5 OAA over 4,229.2 career innings.
As a Scott Boras client, the former Dodger will likely pursue a one-year, prove-it deal rather than a multi-year contract. He could sign for more than one season, although his contract would almost certainly have to include an opt-out clause after the first year.
Signing Bellinger wouldn’t be the flashiest move of the off-season, but for a team hoping to improve its outfield configuration, he’d check off multiple boxes for the Blue Jays.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
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