The New York Yankees have struggled to live up to expectations this season, collapsing over the past few months. However, their offseason addition of Cody Bellinger, whom they acquired in a deal with the Chicago Cubs during the offseason, has figured things out at the plate in a big way.
There have been questions about Bellinger’s game over the past few seasons, but for the past three years now, he’s been an above-average player. Bellinger has a 123 OPS+, including 24 home runs and 75 RBIs.
As he enters free agency, many expect a big payday, with Mark Feinsand of MLB.com suggesting the Philadelphia Phillies could step in.
“Bellinger is in the second year of a three-year, $80 million contract, though most expect him to opt out of the final year and $25 million to test free agency this winter. After an uneven 2024 campaign with the Cubs, Bellinger has thrived in the Bronx, belting 24 home runs with 75 RBIs and an .823 OPS in 116 games, putting him on track for his second 4-WAR season in three years. The versatile slugger has been a perfect fit for the Yankees, but other teams could try to pry the former NL MVP away from New York with the long-term deal that has evaded him to this point.
“Potential fits: Astros, Phillies, Yankees,” he wrote.
Can the Phillies Improve their Outfield?
The Philadelphia Phillies have spent the past three seasons searching for an above-average outfielder, but Dave Dombrowski has yet to deliver. The New York Yankees could also view Bellinger as that piece, but until they figure something out with the left-handed hitter, there’s a chance he could leave.
Bellinger has a $25 million player option at the end of the campaign, but because he only has one year remaining on his deal, he could opt out of that for a longer-term deal. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, that’s what he expects.
“Bellinger has been a perfect fit playing half his games at Yankee Stadium, with the short porch in right helping him hit 22 home runs. He also has an .816 OPS and 10 stolen bases. His above-average defense at all three outfield positions and first base helps his value. He is expected to opt out of his 2026 option so he can land a more lucrative, longer-term deal,” he wrote.
Cody Bellinger Will Have a Market This Offseason
There’s also the side of the story for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, where Bellinger could be the second-best hitter on the market.
While there’s a clear No. 1 option with Kyle Tucker, Just Baseball put it perfectly. When examining the top outfielders on the market, Ryan Finkelstein noted that whatever teams don’t land Tucker could view Ballinger as the next best option.
For the Yankees and Phillies, that could come with a $100-plus million deal.
“For teams that aren’t willing to go to that length to sign Tucker, they could settle on Cody Bellinger instead. The 30-year-old is having another really solid year and is going to be looking to finally sign a long-term deal,” he wrote.
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