Dodgers plan to non-tender former MVP Cody Bellinger

Just three years after an MVP-winning season, outfielder Cody Bellinger is expected to be non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers plan to non-tender outfielder Cody Bellinger, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Deciding whether or not to tender a contract to Bellinger, 27, was the most polarizing and difficult decision in baseball. While he’s only three years removed from an MVP season in which he hit .305/.406/.629 with a 1.035 OPS, 47 home runs and 115 RBI, he hasn’t hit above .239 or hit more than 19 home runs since.

The Dodgers have been perplexed why Bellinger’s struggles have not subsided since a serious shoulder injury suffered while celebrating in the playoffs. They were not alone — numerous rival executives have shared their own confusion in recent months — but there were plenty of teams watching the Dodgers’ decision closely. After all, it’s not often a recent MVP winner becomes a trade or non-tender candidate, and he’s young enough where he can bounce back and have a long, successful career.