Cody Bellinger And The Dodgers Reach $17 Million Arbitration Agreement

Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers have agreed on a one-year, $17 million contract to avoid arbitration, EPSN's Jeff Passan reports. A dismal year with a strong playoff finish -- a player the Dodgers have't given up on just yet.

As Passan tweets, Bellinger struggled for a large part of the 2021 campaign, however a late surge in the postseason should provide hope. The 26-year-old MVP slashed .165/.240/.302 last year as he dealt with a non-displaced rib fracture. He also came into Spring Training nursing a shoulder injury.

The Dodgers really didn't have much choice here. They weren't letting a former MVP go and the time to let him go would be following the 2023 season, barring a bounce back. Provided he's healthy, Bellinger will walk into free agency at 28-years-old with a National League MVP in his back pocket -- another Boras client that'll be looking for long-term security on a 10-year deal.