Cody Bellinger Snags Record-Breaking Deal to Avoid Arbitration

Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers on Friday evening agreed to a one-year deal worth a reported $11.5 million, setting a record for all MLB players who were arbitration eligible for the first time.

Bellinger’s $11.5 million deal eclipsed the previous high of Kris Bryant‘s $10.85 million contract for first-timers two years ago. Last season, Bellinger made $605,000.

In 2019, Bellinger earned the National League MVP award, a Silver Slugger award and a Gold Glove award. The 24-year-old native of Scottsdale appeared in a team-high 156 games for the Dodgers, hitting .305 (170-for-558) with 34 doubles, 47 homers and 115 RBI. He ranked among the NL leaders in batting average (.305, 9th), OBP (.406, 3rd),…