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Miami Marlins need to sign Cody Bellinger

ByNeil Raymond|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 12: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out in the second inning in game two of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on October 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 12: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out in the second inning in game two of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on October 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered former NL MVP Cody Bellinger and the Miami Marlins have to act. The Fish need a CF and Bellinger just happens to be a pretty good one. There was a time when he’d be at the top of the top 20 free agents lists… shameless plug: you can see ours here (part 1) and here (part 2). Coming off another down year, his price shouldn’t be too high, but the upside certainly is.

The Miami Marlins need to pursue Cody Bellinger.

Cody Bellinger wasn’t very impressive in 2022 to say the least. He batted .210/.265/.389 with 19 home runs and 68 RBI in 144 games and 504 AB. He had a solid 0.5 dWAR and an underwhelming 89.4 EV. Still, the hope with him is that he bounces back to his old form.

Bellinger debuted in 2017 with a .267/.352/.581 batting line with 39 home runs and 97 RBI in 132 games and 480 AB. He was worth 3.9 WAR. This debut earned him the NL Rookie of the Year award. In 2018, he followed that up with a .260/.343/.470 batting line with 25 home runs and 76 RBI in 162 games and 557 AB. He was worth 4.2 WAR.

2019 was the year that Cody Bellinger entered elite territory. He batted .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs and 115 RBI in 156 games and 558 AB. He was worth 8.6 WAR and won the NL MVP award. At that point he looked like one of the top hitters in the game… and then disaster struck. Bellinger suffered a serious shoulder injury in 2020, and hadn’t been the same since.

In the shortened 2020 season, he batted .239/.333/.455 and then suffered the aforementioned injury. In 2021, he batted .165/.240/.302 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 95 games and 315 AB. He followed that up with a mild improvement in 2022.

So what’s wrong? Did he forget how he used to hit? Is his shoulder preventing him from using his old mechanics? It’s a bizarre situation and he’s only 26. He’s worth a chance though. He shouldn’t be expensive and the worst case scenario is he’s a bottom of the lineup hitter with good pop and above average defense in CF. The best case scenario is he finds his old MVP form. Bruce Sherman needs to spend on Cody Bellinger.

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