Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger has been linked to teams across the league in free agency this offseason, and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale named the New York Yankees as the favorites for his signature this offseason with a few other teams also in pursuit of the former MVP.
Nightengale also named the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays as potential suitors for the former Dodger.
“Bellinger’s camp is reminding everyone who’ll listen that he’s just 1 ½ years older than Tucker, 28,” Nightengale wrote. “The Yankees still are the favorites to bring him back, but the Mets are in play, and he’s a fallback plan for teams like the Phillies and Blue Jays.”
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Bellinger spent the first six seasons of his MLB career with the Dodgers, and had a wildly successful time through his first four seasons. He won an MVP in 2019, and maintained an OPS above .775 through all four years. After the 2020 season, though Bellinger’s numbers took a huge dip.
He had a collective .611 OPS in 2021 and 2022, recording 29 homers and 104 RBIs across both seasons — numbers he surpassed in his MVP season alone.
The Dodgers non-tendered him after 2022, and he moved to the Chicago Cubs. Bellinger found his feet again with the Cubs, posting an .881 OPS with 26 homers and 97 RBIs in his first season on the North Side.
He followed his comeback season up with another solid season in Chicago, and moved to the Yankees ahead of 2025. He had his best season since his MVP year with the Yankees, hitting 29 home runs and tallying 98 RBIs.
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Bellinger had been linked to the Dodgers this offseason, but LA’s interest seems to have cooled over the past few weeks, and they are reportedly looking to upgrade their outfield via trade. While the Dodgers aren’t as interested, Bellinger remains as one of the top free agents on the market, and the story surrounding him will surely be one of the ones to watch this offseason.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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