Blue Jays interested in former Dodgers’ MVP Bellinger: report

The Toronto Blue Jays have been in touch with former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Morosi says the Blue Jays reached out to Bellinger after he was non-tendered and released by the Dodgers last week.

Bellinger, 27, is now a free agent after winning the National League’s Most Valuable Player award in 2019, a season in which he finished with 47 home runs and 115 RBIs while slashing .305/.406/.629 across 156 games with the Dodgers.

Bellinger hasn’t been the same hitter, mainly due to a shoulder injury. He’s coming off back-to-back disappointing campaigns, and despite swatting 19 home runs this year, he finished with a pedestrian .210/.265/.654 in 144 games.

With a projected salary of $18 to $20 million in arbitration, the Dodgers cut ties with Bellinger last week. Now a free agent, the 27-year-old will test out the open market for the first time in his career.

The Blue Jays are searching for an outfielder to replace the departed Teoscar Hernandez, who was recently traded to Seattle for reliever Erik Swanson and pitching prospect Adam Macko.

Toronto also recently released outfielders, Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer, with Jackie Bradley Jr. becoming a free agent.

Despite his known struggles at the plate, Bellinger is recognized for his strong play as an outfielder, capable of playing all three positions. He also bats from the left side, seen as a need for the Blue Jays as the front office attempts to better compliment its right-handed-hitting dominated lineup.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, recently indicated that his client is better suited to signing a one-year contract to prove himself for next season and hit the market next winter, with hopes of upping his value and securing a long-term commitment.

Toronto is no stranger to that kind of deal, having signed infielder Marcus Semien to a one-year, $18 million contract in early 2021. Semien, at the time, entered free agency coming off a down statistical campaign and extensively built his value back up with the Blue Jays, hitting 45 home runs and finishing third in AL MVP votes.

The Blue Jays have also been connected to free agent outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who will likely command a long-term deal worth more than $100 million.