The Los Angeles Dodgers tendered contracts to Cody Bellinger, Caleb Ferguson, Trea Turner and Julio Urias prior to the 5 p.m. PT deadline on Tuesday. It originally was set for Thursday, Dec. 2, but MLB and the Players Association agree to move it up due to a likely lockout. Andrew Vasquez was non-tendered and became a free agent.
Scott Alexander, who was part of the club’s initial group of salary-arbitration eligible players, was designated for assignment during the first week of November and elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Turner is going through the arbitration process for a fourth and final time. It’s the third occurrence for Bellinger and Urias, and a first for Ferguson.
Turner hit .338/.385/.565 with 17 doubles, 10 home runs, 28 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 52 games for the Dodgers this year after being acquired from the Washington Nationals at the MLB trade deadline. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2022 season.
Bellinger is coming off the worst statistical season of his career after hitting just .165/.240/.302 with nine doubles, 10 home runs and 36 RBI in 95 games.
Urias set personal bests in several categories, including wins (20), innings pitched (185.2) and starts (32). He posted a 2.96 ERA, 3.13 FIP and 1.02 WHIP with 195 strikeouts against 38 walks, and ranked second among Dodgers pitchers with 4.7 WAR.
Ferguson missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Under normal circumstances, the Dodgers and their arbitration-eligible players would be permitted to negotiate contracts, with salary figures to be exchanged in January if both sides fail to come to terms on a new deal.
However, with MLB on the verge of entering a lockout when the collective bargaining agreement expires, it’s unclear if that timeline will be pushed back. At minimum, teams and players will not be able to negotiate contracts during the lockout.
L.A. last went to an arbitration hearing with Joc Pederson prior to the 2020 season — their first since doing so against Joe Beimel in 2007.
Dodgers reportedly signing Daniel Hudson
With several key relievers no longer under contract, the Dodgers reportedly are signing Daniel Hudson to a one-year deal. It marks a reunion as he previously pitched for the club during the 2018 season.
The 34-year-old went a combined 5-3 with a 3.31 ERA, 3.21 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 54 games this year for the Nationals and San Diego Padres.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
