Los Angeles Dodgers Re-Sign Cody Bellinger

Before the lockout officially began, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cody Bellinger to a one-year, $17 million contract. However, it was not reported until Thursday afternoon. With this, both parties have avoided arbitration.

Some pre-Christmas housekeeping: OF/1B Cody Bellinger and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a one-year, $17 million contract to avoid arbitration before the lockout, sources tell me and @kileymcd. Deal is long done. Just wasn't reported yet. News at ESPN: https://t.co/NsMzj6szyr
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 23, 2021

There's no question that the 2021 season was a hard one for Bellinger. In 95 games, he had 10 home runs, 36 RBIs and an extremely low .165 batting average. Yet, there certainly is reason for optimism, as he rebounded very well during the postseason. In 12 games, he had a home run, seven RBIs and a notable .353 batting average. Perhaps this is more of what's to come from the star.

It's very likely that 2021 was just a fluke for Bellinger. This is especially the case when looking at his ridiculous resume. In 2019 alone, he was named NL MVP and to the All-MLB Team. With that, he went to win a Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove Award that very season, too. He also was named NL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and NLCS MVP in 2018. With that, he's a two-time All-Star and World Series champion.

In 601 career games with the Dodgers, he has 133 home runs, 354 RBIs and a .257 batting average.

It will be fun to see how Bellinger performs from here. Here's to hoping he has a solid bounce back campaign in 2022.