Much like Cubs All-Star third baseman Kris Bryant—who won NL Rookie of the Year in 2015 and NL MVP in 2016—Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger had an especially excellent start to his MLB career. Bellinger won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2017, NLCS MVP in 2018, and NL MVP in 2019. But winning an MVP award within the first three seasons of their career is not the only thing Bellinger shares with Bryant. He now shares the distinction of being among the group of highest-paid first-year arbitration players in MLB history.
Los Angeles Times writer Mike DiGiovanna reported that Bellinger avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal that will pay him $11.5-million, which breaks Bryant's previous record of $10.85-million from 2018. Last season Bellinger batted .305 with an awesome 1.035 OPS. He also slugged 47 home runs, easily eclipsing his previous career-high of 39.
Like Bellinger, Bryant also avoided arbitration on Friday, agreeing to a reported one-year, $18.6 million deal.