Cody Bellinger is a free agent. MLB.com is maintaining observe of the most recent information and rumors surrounding the 2019 NL MVP.
Nov. 23: One other potential impediment for Bellinger, Yanks
The Yankees are broadly thought of one of many strongest contenders for Bellinger, however there’s one main cause they may very well be a worse match than beforehand thought. As famous by MLB Community insider Jon Heyman within the New York Submit on Thursday, New York’s desire for gamers with above-average hard-hit charges may very well be an issue for Bellinger, whose 31.4% hard-hit charge in 2023 ranked within the tenth percentile amongst qualifying hitters.
Additional complicating their negotiations is the possible availability of Juan Soto, who the Yankees are anticipated to be “throughout” ought to the Padres make him obtainable. Soto would even be extra in step with the Yankees’ organizational philosophy, having posted the third-highest hard-hit charge amongst qualifiers in 2023.
Nov. 16: The place do Cubs stand on Ohtani, Bellinger?
The Cubs had been among the many finalists for Shohei Ohtani when he came to visit from Japan in 2017, however the lack of the designated hitter spot within the Nationwide League on the time labored in opposition to Chicago, with Ohtani eager to hit and pitch.
Now, the Cubs have one other shot to land him, and ESPN’s Jesse Rogers experiences that they intend to pursue the chance.
Chicago may additionally look to re-sign its personal star free agent, Bellinger, however Rogers considers it unlikely that the Cubs will find yourself with each gamers.
Rogers spoke with a number of sources who mentioned they thought the Cubs usually tend to signal Ohtani than deliver again Bellinger, because the membership has no intention to get right into a bidding battle for the outfielder with suitors such because the Yankees, Giants and Blue Jays.
“I believe Bellinger is pretty much as good as gone,” one supply acquainted with the state of affairs advised Rogers firstly of the offseason.
Nov. 15: Bellinger race may come all the way down to Yanks, Cubs, Giants
Whereas the markets for different high free brokers are considerably hazier at this level within the offseason, Bellinger’s market is “a bit of extra outlined,” with three groups main the race, in accordance with MLB Community insider Jon Heyman.
Whereas Heyman mentioned final week that he thought the race for Bellinger would in the end come all the way down to the Yankees and Cubs, he would not suppose the Giants may be dominated out as they discover a lot of prospects.
“We will hear loads concerning the Giants. They definitely need to enhance off of the final couple of seasons and he matches. They are saying they need to go up the center, though they’re taking a look at another gamers, they need to do up the center. And Cody Bellinger, nice heart fielder, additionally an excellent first baseman, offers a bit of versatility.”
Bellinger had a bounceback season on a one-year cope with the Cubs after being non-tendered by the Dodgers final offseason. The 28-year-old completed with a .307 common, 26 homers, 97 RBIs, 20 steals and an .881 OPS over 130 video games, and now he will get to check free company once more having improved his inventory.
Nov. 13: Yankees may go all the way down to the wire in Bellinger bidding
The Yankees are anticipated to pursue Bellinger this offseason, and MLB Community insider Jon Paul Morosi will get the sense the membership is critical about touchdown him.
“I consider the Yankees can be in there till the very finish on Bellinger this offseason,” Morosi mentioned Monday.
The Bronx Bombers even have been linked to Padres outfielder Juan Soto, however Morosi thinks Bellinger is extra of a precedence. With Soto, there should not solely questions on what sort of bundle it could take to amass him — and if the Padres are even significantly excited by buying and selling him — but in addition whether or not New York would be capable of signal him to an extension. Soto is about to develop into a free agent a yr from now.
“I’d say Bellinger [is the higher priority], as a result of with Bellinger proper now it’s a free-agent contract to the place if you happen to signal him, he’s yours presumably for the long run,” Morosi mentioned. “Whereas Soto, it’s one yr and then you definitely hope to discover a solution to get him prolonged.”
Nov. 7: Are the Giants a doable vacation spot for Bellinger?
As they proceed their seek for a celebrity to construct round after lacking out on Aaron Choose a yr in the past, the Giants are anticipated to be within the combine for Shohei Ohtani this offseason.
“The Giants desire a star and are ready to go above and past to make that occur, they usually may promote Bellinger to their followers as a headliner, a former MVP who as soon as performed for his or her division rival,” Olney writes.
Bellinger to the Giants was additionally the selection made by two of the three writers who participated in MLB Commerce Rumors’ annual story rating the Prime 50 free brokers and providing up predictions for his or her locations and contracts.
Bellinger has additionally been linked to the Yankees, however Olney thinks that New York is extra more likely to dole out a giant contract for a pitcher (maybe Yoshinobu Yamamoto?) this offseason whereas making a shorter-term funding in a left-handed hitter.
Nov. 7: Yanks, Bellinger a doable match?
MLB Community insider Jon Heyman reported within the New York Submit that the Yankees are “investigating the highest of the hitting market.” Heyman lists Cody Bellinger, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto as prospects for the Yankees whereas reporting that Bellinger looks like the more than likely match. Extra >
Nov. 5: These AL golf equipment may have curiosity in Bellinger
Following an amazing bounceback season in Chicago, Cody Bellinger could also be one of the best place participant obtainable in free company this offseason. The 28-year-old unsurprisingly declined his mutual possibility with the Cubs on Friday. That does not rule out a doable return to Chicago’s North Facet, however the Cubs ought to face loads of competitors for Bellinger’s companies.
Writing for The Athletic (subscription required), Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney word that the Yankees may very well be concerned within the bidding after they’d curiosity in Bellinger main as much as the Commerce Deadline. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand and The Athletic’s Jim Bowden (subscription required) each record the Yanks as a doable match for the slugger.
One other AL East group cannot be ignored within the Bellinger sweepstakes: the Pink Sox. Boston’s new chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, got here from the Cubs’ entrance workplace and “may envision [Bellinger] as a foundational participant at Fenway Park,” per Sharma and Mooney. They add that the Cubs can be on the “quick record” for Bellinger, however there’s solely to this point they may financially go. If Bellinger and agent Scott Boras are introduced with a contract just like what one other Boras shopper, Xander Bogaerts, obtained as a free agent final yr, then “Bellinger has performed his final recreation in a Cubs uniform,” in accordance with Sharma and Mooney.