Cody Bellinger remains a free agent, and the veteran outfielder remains linked to re-signing with the New York Yankees. However, there are other options available: he could stay in the Big Apple and sign with the New York Mets, as Juan Soto and Devin Williams did.
At 30 years old, this is likely the last big-time contract that Bellinger will receive, so it’s no surprise that he’s taking his time. The former Los Angeles Dodgers star took advantage of playing at Yankee Stadium, posting a .272 batting average with 160 hits, 29 homers, 98 RBIs, and 89 runs scored in 152 games in 2025, per StatMuse.
While Bellinger is testing the market to see what a team is willing to pay him, SNY’s Dani Wexelman says the outfielder needs to remain with the Yankees, and the Yankees need to keep him, given the fit after his productive 2025 MLB season.
“Cody Bellinger is the obvious choice because he was just there, and he performed really well in Yankee Stadium,” Wexelman said in a December 31 video posted by MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.
“He is a really nice fit with the team. He’s an even better fit behind Aaron Judge to protect him. And he gives Aaron Boone so many options, right? A guy who is above average on the infield and in the outfield is an incredible resource, and a guy who can be versatile in that way.”
Cody Bellinger Staying With Yankees Helps Ben Rice
Wexelman states that Ben Rice could fill the production that Bellinger would leave behind if he departed the Bronx. However, she believes Rice doesn’t bring the above-average defense that Bellinger has as both an outfielder and an infielder.
“Right now, it’s Ben Rice slotted in behind Aaron Judge,” Wexelman added. “I don’t know if that’s how the lineup is going to be written out. I like Ben Rice, a left-handed hitter [and] only 26 years old. He’s a former 12th-round pick back in 2021. He catches, and he plays first base. I don’t love him as the permanent solution at first base right now.
“I feel like he needs more development at the position. I’m not saying he can’t play it, but I think that he needs a little bit more work there to be a bona fide first baseman. And I don’t know if he’s the offense, and he’s the threat that is the proper protection behind Aaron Judge.
“He had 26 home runs last season, right? So there’s still a lot to like about what he can do and how he can continue to grow. It’s not like he’s been in the league that long. But if you have the option of signing somebody of Cody Bellinger’s caliber or Kyle Tucker’s caliber, that’s the solution right there.”
Mets Are Seen as a Potential Destination for Cody Bellinger
The Mets are another team linked to Bellinger, as Andrew Simon of MLB.com wrote in a December 24 article that he sees them as the potential landing spot for Bellinger over the Yankees.
It’s not hard to see Bellinger heading back to the Yankees or even returning to the Dodgers,” Simon wrote. “But his particular set of skills feels like an ideal match for a Mets roster that has shed three cornerstones in Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo.
“Bellinger would give New York coverage at three positions where they now have some question marks: center field, left field and first base. He would also add another strong bat to the lineup while helping the Mets’ goal of fortifying a defense that was decidedly below average in 2025. Taking another key player away from the Yankees probably wouldn’t be a bad bonus, either.”
Cody Bellinger Gets Strong Yankees Message Amid Mets Link