Cody Bellinger free agency: Ranking top 10 landing spots for resurgent former MVP with Yankees, Cubs in mix

What a distinction a yr makes. Last yr presently, Cody Bellinger was once at highest a reclamation mission. A former MVP who had fallen to this point that the Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered him and despatched him out into free company quite than spend any other yr seeking to repair him. As just lately as 2020, that might were unthinkable. Then it turn out to be a fact. 

This offseason, Bellinger, who remains to be most effective 28, is among the highest free brokers to be had, and no longer most effective as a result of it is a skinny magnificence. He authored a .307/.356/.525 line with 26 house runs in 130 video games with the Chicago Cubs in 2023, a 4.4 WAR efficiency that figures to earn him MVP votes. Bellinger will probably be one of the crucial sought-after free brokers this iciness.

Our R.J. Anderson ranked Bellinger the No. 3 free agent to be had this offseason, and No. 1 amongst full-time place avid gamers. Here’s his write-up:

There are 3 portions to a magic trick. First, appearing one thing to the target market. Then, making that one thing disappear. Finally, making that one thing reappear. Numerous magicians use rabbits, cash, or planted volunteers. The baseball-minded amongst them, similar to Bellinger, use their offensive output. He started his profession in sensible style, culminating in profitable the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player Award. That manufacturing then vanished, to the level that he was once non-tendered ultimate iciness via the Dodgers. Bellinger has pulled off the overall leg of the trick this season, reestablishing himself as a well-above-average hitter, albeit in inexplicable style. His ball-tracking knowledge does no longer align with what you may be expecting from anyone who as soon as threatened 50 house runs: his common go out speed places him in corporate with Jean Segura, Yan Gomes, and Miguel Rojas. The secret to Bellinger’s reemergence appears to be that he traded high quality of touch for amount of touch. It labored this season. Teams will have to now make a decision how assured they’re in Bellinger’s new trick, or if the sustainability of his resurgence is an issue of magical pondering.

A 28-year-old who hit like Bellinger did this season, has the MVP observe document Bellinger has, and performs Gold Glove-caliber protection in heart box like Bellinger does is well a $100 million participant. Bellinger has an opportunity at $200 million, regardless that some golf equipment is also hesitant to head all out to signal him given his deficient 2021-22 seasons and unimpressive go out velocities.

You could make a case for each and every of the 30 groups signing Bellinger. He’s so younger that he suits any rivalry window. Realistically, golf equipment that fancy themselves contenders in 2024 will pursue him maximum aggressively. Here are the 10 highest landing spots for Bellinger as he heads again out into free company, albeit underneath a lot other cases than ultimate yr.

The Padres took out a $50 million mortgage to hide bills in September, together with participant payroll, and they are reportedly making plans to cut back payroll to $200 million subsequent season. That calls for slicing about $50 million this offseason. That makes a Bellinger pursuit not likely, regardless that I refuse to near the door on GM A.J. Preller landing a large title participant. There’s a situation in which the Padres business Juan Soto and his projected $30-plus-million arbitration wage for more than one younger avid gamers, then signal Bellinger to a freelance with a decrease common annual price and spend the financial savings on pitching. This is far-fetched, I do know, however Preller has demonstrated a knack for making far-fetched strikes.

9. Los Angeles Dodgers

By all accounts the Dodgers and Bellinger ended their courting on excellent phrases ultimate offseason. The non-tender was once a trade determination, no longer private, and there is not any reason why to assume Bellinger can be unwilling to go back to Los Angeles or that the Dodgers aren’t open to bringing him again. That stated, Bellinger would at highest be Plan B for the Dodgers. They are anticipated to pursue Shohei Ohtani very aggressively, and landing Ohtani would shut the door on a Bellinger reunion. Los Angeles additionally figures to prioritize pitching in addition to Ohtani, no longer any other bat. This is a by no means say by no means state of affairs greater than a definite risk.

I’m no longer positive I might name this most probably, however I will’t rule out a Dave Dombrowski group going after a top free agent. Moving Bryce Harper to first base full-time opens up an outfield spot, a place Bellinger may just fill greater than capably. Kyle Schwarber at DH, Brandon Marsh in left, Bellinger in heart, Harper to start with base. See? Nice and simple. It’s most probably too early to transport the 31-year-old Harper to first base full-time — he most effective performed there this season as a result of he was once no longer but cleared to make outfield throws following Tommy John surgical operation — regardless that I’m positive Harper is up for it. Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? Nope.

Good success working out how the Red Sox and new leader baseball officer Craig Breslow will way the offseason. It stands to reason why that, after parting tactics with Chaim Bloom, Red Sox possession desires to contend in 2024, because of this upgrading a roster that went 78-84 in 2023 and completed in ultimate position for the 3rd time in 4 years. Jarren Duran had a breakout season this yr, so heart box would no longer appear to be prime at the record of offseason priorities, regardless that Masataka Yoshida figures to spend maximum of his time at DH transferring ahead, so Boston may just simply shift Duran to left to deal with Bellinger. We know the Red Sox can come up with the money for Bellinger. The query is whether or not possession is keen to spend it.

Bellinger would are compatible actually nicely in Seattle. Yes, they have already got an ideal heart fielder in Julio Rodríguez, however there may be a variety of room in the outfield for Bellinger and Rodríguez. Having two top flight glovemen in T-Mobile Park’s huge outfield is a need greater than a luxurious. The Mariners actually want any other bat too, specifically a left-handed hitter who can knock the ball out of the ballpark. With all due appreciate, you’ll most effective pass to this point when J.P. Crawford is your most deadly lefty bat. GM Jerry Dipoto had an underwhelming offseason a yr in the past and Seattle neglected the postseason via one sport. It’s OK to head out and put money into a large title participant quite than make 3 or 4 smaller strikes that can make you glance sensible. 

The offense failed the Astros down the stretch this season, specifically at house, and there may be a gap in the outfield along Kyle Tucker and Chas McCormick (assuming Yordan Alvarez spends maximum of his time at DH). Bellinger would upload period to the lineup and fortify the middle box protection — McCormick is healthier suited for Minute Maid Park’s small left box — and assist Houston lengthen its championship window. One factor to stay in thoughts: Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are scheduled to turn out to be free brokers subsequent offseason. Would the Astros spend giant on Bellinger when the ones two want new contracts? Why no longer do each: signal Bellinger and lengthen Altuve and Bregman? When it involves an MLB team spending cash, the query is most often “will they?” no longer “can they?”

For no matter reason why, the entire has been lower than the sum of the portions the previous couple of years in Toronto. Don’t get me flawed, the Blue Jays were excellent — they have got gained a minimum of 89 video games in each and every of the ultimate 3 seasons — simply inferior to you’ll be expecting given the ability at the roster. They have a gap in heart box with Kevin Kiermaier changing into a free agent and George Springer transferring to proper box now that he is in his mid-30s, and so they badly desire a lefty hitter to stability the lineup. Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are most effective two years clear of free company, and Springer most effective has such a lot of high years ultimate. Adding Bellinger would assist maximize Toronto’s possibilities of profitable a name in the momentary. 

3. Chicago Cubs

On paper, Bellinger and the Cubs are a very good fit. He simply had a resurgent season at the North Side, so he is at ease there and is usually a productive participant, plus the Cubs are a group on the upward thrust with top potentialities like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jordan Wicks debuting in 2023. Crow-Armstrong is a proficient defensive heart fielder himself, however there is not any rule towards having two top notch defenders in the outfielder. Put Crow-Armstrong along Bellinger in the outfield and experience gazing all the ones fly balls grow to be outs. The Cubbies have the cash to retain Bellinger. This courting turns out like one value proceeding.

Bellinger’s father, Clay, performed 3 of his 4 MLB seasons with the Yankees, and gained World Series rings in 1999 and 2000. When Bellinger visited Yankee Stadium with the Cubs this previous July, he referred to as it a “really special place to play,” and stated the Yankees “obviously mean a lot to our family,” according to NJ.com. Good emotions most effective rely for such a lot regardless that. The Yankees are an obtrusive landing spot for Bellinger as a result of they want a middle fielder and a center of the order lefty bat, two issues he supplies. After a disappointing season that noticed them pass 82-80 and end in fourth position, it feels just like the Yankees will do one thing giant this offseason to modify the sensation across the franchise. Signing Bellinger would qualify.

A yr in the past, the Giants whiffed on Aaron Judge and had their deal with Carlos Correa fall aside over a scientific factor. For no matter reason why, San Francisco has actually struggled to signal big name free brokers. Bellinger suits their wishes and ballpark — a center of the order thumper who can pass get it in Oracle Park’s spacious outfield — plus he has a historical past with president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi relationship again to their time with the Dodgers. The Giants went 79-83 this yr and changed supervisor Gabe Kapler with Bob Melvin after the season. Zaidi & Co. are seeking to exchange the vibes and uploading Bellinger would assist do so, in addition to making improvements to the group at the box.