Dodgers first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger has set another record. This time, though, it was with the money and not with the bat. The 2019 National League MVP will be receiving $11.5 million in his first year of arbitration, a new MLB record. The previous record was held by Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant at $10.85 million.
This will set up Bellinger for a very high pace in his future arb years that could allow him to get paid at or around $30 million in his final arb year.
Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers avoid arbitration with an $11.5 million deal. It’s the biggest deal for a first-year arbitration-eligible player, eclipsing Kris Bryant’s $10.85 million in 2017.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 11, 2020
Bellinger put together the best season of his career and appears to only be on the upward trend as we move forward.
Today was the deadline for all players to either agree to terms with their clubs to avoid arbitration or decide to take it to a hearing. Andrew Friedman has a five year streak of not going to arbitration with any of his eligible players. All terms have yet to come out, but it seems like the Dodgers are on pace to do it again. The Dodgers also agreed to terms with Kiké Hernandez, Corey Seager, and Ross Stripling amongst others.
It is always a good practice to avoid going to a hearing with your players and especially your stars. The Dodgers were able to avoid just that by agreeing to terms with their best offensive star.
