MLB Rumors: Blue Jays 'Team to Watch' If Cody Bellinger Is Non-Tendered by Dodgers

The Toronto Blue Jays are a "team to watch" on Cody Bellinger if he becomes a free agent this offseason, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

The center fielder has one more year of team control remaining with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the team could also non-tender Bellinger instead of paying him the projected $18.1 million through arbitration, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

As Morosi noted, the Blue Jays are seeking a left-handed outfield bat this offseason and have their eyes on free-agent Brandon Nimmo. Bellinger could be a quality alternative if he hits the open market.

Bellinger still has tons of upside going into 2023, whether he remains with the Dodgers or signs with another team.

The 27-year-old earned two All-Star selections in his first three seasons, adding one MVP award and the Rookie of the Year in this time. He is averaging 33 home runs per 162 games over the course of his career, tallying 19 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 2022.

He also remains a plus fielder at a premium position, totaling 34 defensive runs saved in his career (14 in center field), per Fangraphs.

The problem has been his inconsistency at the plate, producing just a .210 batting average in 2022 after finishing with a .165 average the year before. His .654 OPS last season ranked 119th of 130 qualified players. He would have been dead last in the category in 2021 if he had enough at-bats to qualify.

Los Angeles has high expectations every year and can't afford these types of struggles in the lineup. Trayce Thompson outperformed Bellinger last year and could see a bigger role in 2023, while the big-market team could also get involved in the big names in free agency.

It might be worth the risk for the Blue Jays, which are looking to make a deeper run in the postseason after losing in the wild-card round this past year.

Toronto now has an opening in the outfield after trading away Teoscar Hernández. The lineup also need more balance after relying on right-handed sluggers Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Bo Bichette and others last season. None of the seven hitters who hit double-digit home runs were left-handed.

Bellinger could fill a hole for the Blue Jays, while also hoping a new location will get his career back on track as one of the game's best power hitters.