3 Dodgers who need a great postseason to stay in LA after 2022

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched home-field advantage through the NLCS with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. At this point, it is essentially a formality that the Dodgers will have home-field advantage through the World Series, with a 5.5-game lead over Houston with nine games left to play.

Dodger Stadium has one of the best home-field advantages in the sport, so securing that advantage throughout the playoffs is huge for the team. Just ask Freddie Freeman.

Hopefully, this home-field advantage can spark certain players on the team to play better than they have in the postseason. For some players, playing well in October is not just for the sake of the team, but for their potential future in LA as well.

Without a strong postseason, these three Dodgers might be on a one-way track to no longer being on the team beyond 2022.

…And no, Craig Kimbrel is not on this list. He will be off the team regardless of what happens, especially after losing the closer role.

3 Dodgers who need a strong postseason to stay in LA past 2022

3. Chris Martin

Chris Martin has been really, really good since the Dodgers traded for him at the deadline. This is another example of the team finding a diamond in the rough, as Martin’s struggles in Chicago before the deadline were an illusion. Martin has one of the best FIPs in the sport and has posted an insane 0.500 WHIP in 22 appearances with the team.

All that being said, it does not matter if Martin pitches well in the regular season if he cannot back that up in the postseason. Based on how he is pitching, Martin is going to be put into some high-leverage spots for the team in October. Heck, he might even be the team’s go-to closer option.

But if Martin comes out and stinks up the place circa Ryan Madson in 2018, then the Dodgers are going to be cautious in re-signing him. It is not like he is a spring chicken, and if you don’t think someone can pitch well in October, why would you re-sign them?

Odds are Martin will pitch well and will earn another deal to stay in Los Angeles.

1. Cody Bellinger

If Cody Bellinger’s name wasn’t Cody Bellinger, then he might not even be on the Dodgers at this point. His NL Rookie of the Year and MVP seasons are keeping him on this team, even though he has been one of the worst hitters in the league over the last two years.

In 230 games played over the last two seasons, Bellinger has posted a .604 OPS with a 27.2% strikeout rate. Typically players who produce this poorly do not get the kind of leash that Bellinger has gotten, but because he is a former MVP, he has earned some additional leeway. There are 165 players with at least 800 plate appearances over the last two seasons. Bellinger ranks dead last in OPS.

It is not like he is even that great of a fielder anymore, either. While he certainly is above-average, Trayce Thompson has posted more Defensive Runs Saved this season than Bellinger has. The excuse that his fielding is keeping him in the lineup no longer makes sense.

What is interesting is that Bellinger is in his last year of arbitration next season after making $17 million this season. Despite playing so poorly over the last two years, that number is likely not going to go down after he already received it, so the Dodgers can expect to pay Bellinger in the $17-20 million range.

Obviously, the Dodgers have the money to do that, but should they want to? Why pay someone who has been the worst hitter in the league over a large track record that much money?

Andrew Friedman is always a step ahead, and it would not be totally shocking to see him find a suitor for Bellinger that is willing to trade some decent prospects in the hope that he can regain his MVP form. There are always desperate teams out there, and Friedman has always proven that he will do what is best for the team.

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If Bellinger does not show him something this October then Friedman may start fielding calls for the former NL MVP.