With the Dodgers signing Kyle Tucker on Jan. 15, Cody Bellinger is the best position player remaining on the open market, and he could be a great addition for many teams. Bellinger enjoyed a nice 2025 for the New York Yankees slashing .272/.334/.480, with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, plus 7 outs above average, and 5.1 bWAR. Here are three potential landing spots for the former National League MVP.
New York Yankees
Bellinger was a great addition for the Yankees last season. His 29 homers were his most in a single season since his MVP year in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His smooth left-handed swing was perfect for Yankee Stadium, but he had his share of struggles on the road. Bellinger had a .909 OPS in 80 games at home, but just a .715 OPS in 72 games on the road.
The Yankees have been linked to him all offseason and reportedly made resigning him their top priority when the offseason began. However, he remains unsigned, and negotiations have seemed to reach an impasse. Bellinger allegedly wants a seven-year deal, but the Yankees are unwilling to get into a bidding war for him, according to Yankees insider Bob Klapisch.
#Yankees have made an internal decision not to engage in a bidding war for Cody Bellinger if #Mets or anyone else swoops in with a blow-away offer. Yankees believe they've made a fair proposal – five years, $160 million, two opt-outs. They're prepared to let Bellinger walk.
— Bob Klapisch (@BobKlap) January 18, 2026
The Yankees have made him a five-year, $160 million offer with two opt-outs, per Klapisch, and are willing to let him walk if someone outbids them for him. They want him back, but seem content with Jasson Domínguez, Aaron Judge, Spencer Jones, Trent Grisham and new signing Seth Brown as their outfield if he leaves.
Per @AramLeighton8, the Yankees are signing Seth Brown to a minor league deal.
Brown has spent the last 7 seasons with the Athletics, playing in 568 games.
He has 74 career home runs, 233 career RBI & a .712 OPS. pic.twitter.com/jzibJjNmnb
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) January 19, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays made a 10-year, $350 million offer to Kyle Tucker, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman. Tucker ultimately agreed to his short-term deal with the Dodgers, but Bellinger could be a great way for the Blue Jays to fill their need for an outfielder.
Bellinger is a tremendous defender in all three outfield spots and would be an upgrade over any of the Blue Jays’ top four outfielders from a season ago. Myles Straw, Daulton Varsho, Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes saw the most time in the outfield last season.
The Blue Jays have money to spend, and Bellinger could join an already great team. The Blue Jays could trade away one of their excess outfielders as well to create space.
New York Mets
The Mets are another team that lost the Tucker sweepstakes and could pivot to Bellinger. The Mets have also been linked with interest in Bellinger for most of the offseason. However, it is unclear if they have an offer on the table.
The Mets reportedly offered Tucker $220 million with no deferrals and a $75 million signing bonus. After missing on Tucker, the Mets signed Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million deal with two opt-outs. They have an aggressive owner who is not afraid of spending big.
Steve Cohen signed Juan Soto away from the Bronx last winter. Landing Bellinger this winter would fill a huge hole in the outfield for the Mets. Additionally, David Stearns has made it clear he wants to improve the Mets’ defense. Bellinger is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.
"It feels like the #Yankees and #Mets have the most dire need for Cody Bellinger."
Could a NY vs. NY battle be underway for another top free agent on the market?
? https://t.co/iXax8hx4iO pic.twitter.com/9wHcorndbt
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 18, 2026
WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo: New York Yankees Cody Bellinger talks to reporters at Yankee Stadium in New York, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
