Cody Bellinger avoids arbitration with Dodgers, settles for $16.1M
By John Buhler
Cody Bellinger and the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to avoid arbitration on Friday.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Cody Bellinger agree to terms on a one-year, $16.1 million deal for the upcoming 2021 MLB season, thus avoiding having to enter arbitration.
Bellinger has spent his entire four-year big league career with the Boys in Blue. The two-time National League All-Star won NL MVP in 2019, helping the Dodgers win their first World Series in a generation back in October. Though the Dodgers may run into future financial issues down the line, getting Bellinger back for another season and avoiding arbitration is a huge deal for them.
Cody Bellinger, Dodgers settle at $16.1M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 15, 2021
Can the Los Angeles Dodgers repeat as World Series champions?
The Dodgers are one of three teams with serious Wold Series aspirations out of the the National League. Their two biggest competitors for the upcoming season are the Atlanta Braves, who Los Angeles beat in the NLCS last season, and the division rival San Diego Padres, who the Dodgers took care of business in the NLDS a round prior. Expect one of those three teams to win the NL.
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As for if the Dodgers are poised to repeat as World Series champions, they might have what it takes to do it. Keep in mind they only played 60-game, coronavirus-shortened 2020 MLB season, so their arms are not as taxed as they would be entering a typical campaign. Let’s also not overlook the Dodgers finally getting the proverbial monkey off their back by winning one in 2020.
By avoiding arbitration with a key player like Bellinger, the Dodgers are ready to contend yet again.