Dodgers Rumors: LA linked to former fan favorite after contract opt-out decision

With business wrapped up for the 2025 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers can now start to focus on the next big task at hand — gearing up for a three-peat. There will be holes to fill this winter as several key contributors say goodbye, while other deficiencies, like the bullpen, will need to be addressed.

One of the most critical areas of need is out in left field. The Dodgers signed Michael Conforto to mash right-handers, and much to fans' chagrin, allowed him to flail helplessly at the plate while butchering left field throughout the entirety of the regular season.

Fortunately, a familiar face is out there who would not just fill that role, but supercharge it, along with providing a high level of versatility that will insulate Los Angeles against a whole host of unfavorable scenarios.

The Dodgers could be eyeing a reunion with Cody Bellinger after his opt-out

While the Dodgers will likely be players in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, they're also believed to be interested in pursuing Cody Bellinger for a second stint in LA. While the elephant in the room is that the Dodgers non-tendered Bellinger just three years ago, it's clear that through his stops in Chicago and New York, he's morphed into a different player.

In Los Angeles, Bellinger had some serious highs; winning the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year and the 2019 NL MVP, but with that came the lows of his injury-plagued 2021 season in which he batted just .165 in 95 games.

Bellinger, as a Dodger, with the exceptions of his MVP season in 2019 and the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, was a high-strikeout power bat, recording K rates of between 23.9% and 27.3% with those two years excluded.

Since leaving, he's transformed into a more contact-oriented hitter, posting identical 15.6% strikeout rates in his two years in the Windy City and a career-best 13.7% in the Big Apple in 2025.

While the idea is to add thump from the left side, Bellinger has also improved dramatically against southpaws. During his six years with the Dodgers, he hit just .232 against same-handed pitchers, but in the three years since his departure, he's become more than proficient, batting .329 against lefties.

Tucker might be the superstar, but Bellinger is a high-quality player again, and arguably fits the roster better. In addition to filling the void in left, Bellinger can play high-quality defense in center and right, protecting the Dodgers, giving the Dodgers an option to replace Andy Pages or Teoscar Hernandez should they struggle.

Additionally, he's an above-average defender at first base, and while Freddie Freeman has been a steady anchor there, he's entering his age-36 season. With advanced age comes bumps, bruises, and durability concerns that Bellinger could alleviate in the event that Freeman needed to miss time.

Bellinger would give the Dodgers the versatility that they crave, while filling the role that was envisioned for Conforto last offseason. The real question will be: would he really be willing to give this relationship another go?