Should The Toronto Blue Jays Go After Cody Bellinger In A Trade?

The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the most active teams in Major League Baseball this offseason, making a number of big moves in an effort to improve their chances of winning a World Series. One player who has been linked to the Blue Jays in trade rumors is Cody Bellinger, the former NL MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bellinger is a 27-year-old outfielder who has been one of the most productive hitters in baseball over the past few seasons. He has a career batting average of .278 with 145 home runs and 479 RBIs. Bellinger is also a good defender in the outfield, and he has won a Gold Glove Award.

However, Bellinger has struggled over the past two seasons, and his production has declined significantly. In 2022, he batted just .210 with 19 home runs and 68 RBIs. His defense has also slipped, and he made several costly errors in the field.

Despite his struggles, Bellinger is still a talented player with a lot of potential. He is still just 27 years old, and he has shown in the past that he can be a very productive hitter. If he can regain his old form, he could be a valuable addition to the Blue Jays lineup.

Pros of Acquiring Bellinger

There are a number of reasons why the Blue Jays should consider acquiring Bellinger in a trade. First, he is a very talented hitter with a lot of power. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order bat who can drive in runs and help the Blue Jays win games.

Second, Bellinger is a good defender in the outfield. He has a strong arm and good instincts, and he can play all three outfield positions. This would give the Blue Jays some much-needed flexibility in their outfield.

Third, Bellinger is still relatively young. He is just 27 years old, and he has several years of productive baseball ahead of him. If the Blue Jays can acquire him, they could have a long-term solution in the outfield.

Cons of Acquiring Bellinger

There are also some risks associated with acquiring Bellinger. First, he has struggled over the past two seasons, and there is no guarantee that he will be able to regain his old form.

Second, Bellinger is expensive. He is arbitration-eligible this year, and he is projected to make $18 million in 2023. The Blue Jays would have to give up some valuable assets in a trade to acquire him.

Third, Bellinger has a history of injuries. He has missed significant time in each of the past two seasons due to injuries. The Blue Jays would need to be careful not to overwork him and risk further injury.

Conclusion

The decision of whether or not to acquire Bellinger is a difficult one. There are both pros and cons to the move, and the Blue Jays will need to weigh all of the factors carefully before making a decision.

Ultimately, the decision will come down to whether or not the Blue Jays believe that Bellinger can regain his old form and be a valuable contributor to the team. If they believe that he can, then they should make a move to acquire him. However, if they are not convinced that he can be a productive player, then they should pass on the opportunity.