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Cody Bellinger wasted no time rediscovering himself after the Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered him last offseason. At first, it was brutal for LA fans to watch ... but then the Dodgers became the hottest team in baseball this month. So that's been a fun way to overshadow it all.
Through 100 games of action, Bellinger is hitting .320/.366/.543 with 20 homers, 75 RBI and 18 stolen bases. That's 2019 MVP Belli right there. It would've been nice to have that on the 2023 Dodgers, but it simply wasn't going to happen.
Bellinger's change of scenery has undoubtedly been among the primary driving forces in his rebirth, which will allow him to hit free agency this offseason (he's surely going to reject the mutual option with the Cubs) and cash in on a long-term deal (like he had planned to do with a productive 2023 season in LA).
As expected, Belli was asked about his upcoming free agency in the midst of his hot streak and the Cubs' run, and he had glowing reviews for the organization. Some Dodgers fans also feel as if he took a shot at his former team.
Cody Bellinger's free agency comments may rub Dodgers fans the wrong way
"It’s easier for all of us to play well when we have that kind of rock in the middle of our team.”https://t.co/h5a0JXajCM
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) August 26, 2023
Here's what Bellinger told Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports:
"I love it here. It is great here. Wrigley Field is such an amazing place. We’ll see what happens, but for now, we’re in a playoff race. I’m just trying to go out every day and help this team win.Cody Bellinger
We’ll see what happens down the road, but it’s a great organization. I love it here. I’m having fun again."
Having fun again?! Was going to three World Series and winning one with the Dodgers not fun enough?!
In all likelihood, Bellinger was probably referring to the fact he's back to being an All-Star-level major leaguer after only being worth 1.0 WAR from 2020-2022 with the Dodgers (after being woth 16.7 the previous three seasons).
This offseason, the Dodgers lost Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Trea Turner and a few other key pieces
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) August 18, 2023
Some betting outlets had them projected to finish 2nd in the NL West
They lead baseball in players on IL this year (27) and days missed (1,674)
They're on pace for 100 wins pic.twitter.com/p9CkRpKhTJ
Then again ... it really doesn't seem like his relationship with the Dodgers ended well. His commentary has largely been vague on the matter. He seemingly trolled LA after hitting a home run against them earlier this year. He dodged the Cubs' spring training trip to Camelback Ranch in Glendale back in March.
Maybe he wasn't having fun in LA anymore. But the Dodgers are having fun right now, so that's all that matters. Everybody's winning.