Dodgers should consider reuniting with Cody Bellinger amid opt-out decision with Cubs

The last time the Dodgers saw Cody Bellinger, he had four hits (two home runs) against his old team at Chavez Ravine in early September. It wasn't the first time he'd seen the Dodgers this year; the Cubs hosted them in early April and Bellinger collected three hits, including a homer. He's seen the Dodgers 13 times since they non-tendered him after the 2022 season and has a .326/.466/.783 line against them, so it definitely seems like he took that dumping to heart.

Letting Bellinger go was probably the right move at the time, but it was brutal for fans to watch yet another member of the 2020 World Series team walk, especially one who was LA's Rookie of the Year in 2017, NLCS MVP in 2018, and NL MVP in 2019 and had fallen so far from grace since then.

Bellinger's resurgence in Chicago has been tough to watch, especially when it's come at the expense of his former team. In 2023, his .307 average, .881 OPS, 26 homers, and 97 RBI got him MVP votes, his first Silver Slugger since 2019, and NL Comeback Player of the Year honors.

However, there could very well be a world in which Bellinger and the Dodgers reunite. He declined a mutual option with the Cubs this past offseason, but re-signed for three years with opt-outs after the first two seasons. Bob Nightengale recently wrote that Bellinger is "fully expected to remain with the Cubs," but Patrick Mooney at The Athletic followed up a few days later to push back, writing that Bellinger had yet to make a decision about his future in Chicago (subscription required).

A Dodgers-Cody Bellinger reunion could be in the cards if Bellinger opts out of Cubs deal

The Dodgers might need an outfielder next season if they don't re-sign Teoscar Hernández. Tommy Edman has mostly been playing center field since he made his Dodgers debut and Mookie Betts has moved back to right field, but Edman could shift to become their full-time shortstop next year, which would allow them to reinstall Bellinger back in center as well as re-sign Hernández.

Bellinger's 2024 hasn't been as outstanding as his 2023, but he's still hitting a very respectable .266 with a .755 OPS, and given his performance against the Dodgers over the last two seasons, they'd probably much rather have him playing for them than against. There's still a lot of love for Bellinger in LA, and the $26.7 million a year he would get from the Cubs if he stays is far from impossible for the Dodgers to match or exceed, even if it would mean having to deal with Scott Boras.

If Bellinger does opt out, then the Dodgers should at least give Boras a call. There's no question he'd be welcomed back in LA with open arms.