Report: Dodgers unwilling to include Cody Bellinger in JT Realmuto trade
The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again looking to be active this offseason after they fell short in the World Series for the second straight year, but young outfielder Cody Bellinger is not a player they have any interest in trading.
Numerous teams have expressed interest in acquiring Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, and the Dodgers are said to be among them. However, Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports reports that talks have not gone very far because the Marlins are asking for Bellinger.
The holdup with the dodgers on realmuto has been their unwillingness to include Cody Bellinger.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2018
Based on what Heyman has heard, the Dodgers are unwilling to part with Bellinger or 24-year-old starting pitcher Walker Buehler in any trade. Other than those two, teams can feel free to inquire about any player on the roster.
Impression from a rival about the Dodgers: “Any of their guys are in play except Buehler and Bellinger.” (My add: we’ll assume Kershaw, Turner, Seager and Jansen probably aren’t going anywhere either).
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2018
Bellinger has 64 home runs and 173 RBI in his first two MLB seasons. He’s only 23, so you can understand why the Dodgers have no interest in moving him. He batted .260 while appearing in all 162 games last season and is the type of player you want to build around.
Realmuto, 27, hit .277 with 21 home runs and 74 RBI last season. He’s the most valuable trade asset the Marlins have this offseason, and they have traded away most of their top players in recent years. If they decided to pull the trigger on a Realmuto deal, it sounds like plenty of teams besides the Dodgers are waiting patiently.
