Dodgers News: Scott Boras Blames LA for Cody Bellinger’s Fall-Off
The Dodgers probably regret not re-signing Cody Bellinger, who is having an MVP-caliber season despite missing nearly a month with a bruised knee.
The 28-year-old is batting .321 with a .914 OPS and 20 home runs. It's his best season since 2019 when he won National League MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors.
Injuries plagued the ending of his time with the Dodgers, as he compiled a laundry list of ailments that massively impacted his performance at the plate.
Instead of being patient, agent Scott Boras told Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, the Dodgers pushed him back from injury too quickly.
“He was hurt, plain and simple," Boras said. “He has surgery, and the Dodgers asked him to play with a 35% strength deficiency, and then with COVID, he was deprived of the expert medical treatment. He didn’t have the shoulder strength. You don’t just go from a .900 OPS to a .500 OPS without understanding the impact of an injury."
(Via USA TODAY)
Bellinger is likely making the Dodgers think twice about their decision to cut the player whom Cubs All-Star pitcher Justin Steele called "must-watch television."
But for Bellinger, Boras said, the decision to play for Chicago has made all the difference.
“So, when he became a free agent, Cody told me, 'I want to go to teams that know me the best, and I want to go where people understand me,'" Boras said.
(Via USA TODAY)
With Bellinger set to be a free agent after this season, Boras knows that he will be receiving a lot of phone calls about acquiring the star.
“Demand is often created by rarity,’’ Boras says. “When you have the rarity of age, the skill level, a five-tool player, a Gold Glove center fielder and first baseman who can run, throw, hit, and hit for power, that’s a rare commodity in baseball. And the demand for that is very, very high."
(Via USA TODAY)
