3 reasons why Cody Bellinger is definitely leaving Dodgers after non-tender

It was talked about for weeks before it actually happened and it still took fans by surprise. The Los Angeles Dodgers actually non-tendered Cody Bellinger, making him a free agent who can sign with any team.

This does not mean that Bellinger’s career with the Dodgers is over yet. The Dodgers could have done this with the intention of bringing Bellinger back at a cheaper price, as his recent production has not been worth the price tag he would have warranted in arbitration.

That being said, Bellinger now has the ability to stick it to the Dodgers and sign elsewhere. And while it would be a sad thing to see him go, it seems inevitable that Bellinger will be wearing a different uniform in 2023.

Here are 3 reasons why Cody Bellinger is definitely leaving the Dodgers:

3. Scott Boras and the Dodgers Don’t Mix Well

This might seem like a trivial point, but it is something that Dodgers fans should absolutely keep in mind. Cody Bellinger is represented by Scott Boras, who is the biggest agent in the entire sport and has worked out massive deal after massive deal for his clients.

For whatever reason, Boras’ clients never sign with the Dodgers, even when Andrew Friedman and Co. are interested. There have been some pretty notable Boras clients that the Dodgers have been tied to in recent years who signed elsewhere.

Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Max Scherzer and Corey Seager are all players that the Dodgers were either tied to or employed prior to free agency who signed elsewhere.

With Los Angeles doing Bellinger a disservice, and Boras’ history of convincing his clients to just take the most money possible, it seems all but inevitable that Bellinger will follow the cash. Heck, Boras is already bragging about the several multi-year deals that Bellinger has received from other teams.

If that is the case, Los Angeles better hope that they at least repair the relationship with Boras and his clients in the future, as Julio Urías is set for a big payday next winter that will be headlined by the Boras Corporation.

1. Dodgers Have a Better Version of Cody Bellinger Waiting in James Outman

Out with the old, in with the new. If Cody Bellinger continued playing at the same level we saw him play at from 2017-2019, then he would never have been non-tendered. However, Belli has been one of the worst players in the sport the last two seasons, and it is time for the Dodgers to find an improvement.

Whether or not the team brings in Judge, the Dodgers have a left-handed outfield improvement waiting in James Outman. Outman probably will never reach the same ceiling as Bellinger did in his MLB career, but he absolutely should be better right away than Bellinger has been the last two years.

Outman has been the best hitter in the entire Dodgers farm system, recording two cycles in a single week with Triple-A Oklahoma City to highlight his incredible 2022 stat line. Outman posted a .978 OPS with 31 home runs and 106 RBI in 125 minor league games last season.

He also thrived in his very brief big-league appearance, as he went 6-for-13 with two doubles and a home run in four games played for the Dodgers. All the signs are there for Outman to be an everyday outfielder in 2023 and beyond.

Outman is faster than Bellinger and can have the same defensive impact that Bellinger has had. Bellinger’s defense is a tad overrated, and with his speed and insane arm strength, Outman can ensure that the Dodgers are not losing much defensively.

Heck, an outfield of Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge and James Outman would be the best defensive outfield in the entire league, and it probably would not even be close.

Better yet, there is a good chance that Outman is even better next season than he was in the minors. The one flaw with Outman’s swing is that he is a very pull-heavy hitter. With MLB banning the shift in 2023, there are going to be so many more pull-side hits that find a gap on the right side that were outs in 2022.

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It is really easy not to pay Bellinger for his past performance that took place four years ago when you have someone who can instantly be far better than Bellinger has been in the last three seasons.