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Ranking Yankees OF Cody Bellinger's Top 10 Landing Spots Ahead of MLB Free Agency
Another year, another offseason of speculating where Cody Bellinger might be suiting up to play next season.
The 2019 NL MVP was non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 2022 season, and got a one-year, $17.5 million deal from the Chicago Cubs to try to rebuild his stock.
He did just that, finishing 10th in NL MVP balloting and winning a Silver Slugger, and the Cubs brought him back on a three-year, $80 million deal. However, following the emergence of Pete Crow-Armstrong in 2024, he became an expendable piece heading into last offseason and was sent to the New York Yankees in a salary dump.
After posting a 125 OPS+ with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and 5.0 WAR over 152 games in his Yankees debut, he will reportedly exercise the opt-out of the final year and $25 million of his contract in favor of pursuing a long-term deal, according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com.
Still only 30 years old and on a short list of available players capable of manning center field, he should be a lock for a nine-figure payday, with the six-year, $150 million deal that George Springer inked with the Toronto Blue Jays prior to 2021 a potential starting point in negotiations.
Agent Scott Boras could be looking for redemption after failing to secure a long-term deal for Bellinger last time he hit the open market, and as he enters his 30s, total value could trump AAV on his priority list.
Ahead we've broken down the 10 most likely landing spots for Bellinger, assuming he does indeed opt-out of the final year of his contract.
10. Kansas City Royals
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Projected OF: LF Drew Waters, CF Kyle Isbel, RF Jac Caglianone
Can the Kansas City Royals leverage the opportunity to play alongside Bobby Witt Jr. for a team on the rise to address the biggest hole on their roster?
Outfield production has been a glaring void for the Royals the past few seasons, and led to their moves to acquire Mike Yastrzemski and Randall Grichuk at the trade deadline.
Even if they decide to bring back Yastrzemski, who was quietly excellent with a 131 OPS+ and 23 extra-base hits in 50 games after coming over from the San Francisco Giants, they could still shift glove-first Kyle Isbel into a fourth outfielder role if they were to pursue Bellinger.
Extensions for Witt (11/$288.8M), Salvador Perez (4/$82M) and Alex Gordon (4/$72M) stand as the largest contracts ever given out by the Royals, while Ian Kennedy (5/$70M) is their largest free agency splurge, so opening the wallet for Bellinger would be a unique situation.
9. Detroit Tigers
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Projected OF: LF Riley Greene, CF Parker Meadows, RF Wenceel Pérez
The Tigers looked like a prime landing spot for Alex Bregman last offseason, and he might be the most logical target once again if they decide to make a splash in free agency.
However, there is also a potential fit for Bellinger in the outfield, especially given the injury issues Parker Meadows has navigated and the limited track record Wenceel Perez provides.
They are also an organization that values defensive versatility more than most, and could use Bellinger all over the outfield and in occasional starts at first base, with Spencer Torkelson serving as designated hitter.
Don't be surprised if the Tigers have an aggressive winter in hopes of convincing ace Tarik Skubal to stick around with free agency looming for their ace after the 2026 season.
8. Chicago Cubs
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Projected OF: LF Ian Happ, CF Pete Crow-Armstrong, RF Seiya Suzuki
The Cubs sent Bellinger to the Yankees last offseason in exchange for right-hander Cody Poteet, who was then flipped to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations in March.
It was one of the most straightforward salary dumps you'll ever see, but a year later, it could make sense for the Cubs to shell out a significant chunk of change to bring Bellinger back.
If Kyle Tucker walks in free agency, the Cubs will either return Seiya Suzuki to right field on a full-time basis where he is a below-average defender, entrust top prospects Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcántara to compete for the job next spring or look to sign a replacement.
Bellinger did not leave town on bad terms, it was simply a matter of unclogging an outfield logjam, so bringing him back is a possibility.
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7. Los Angeles Dodgers
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Projected OF: LF Andy Pages, CF Tommy Edman, RF Teoscar Hernández
After winning NL MVP in 2019, Bellinger hit a combined .203/.272/.376 for a 76 OPS+ over 1,143 plate appearances in the three years that followed, which ultimately led to him being non-tendered.
In three years since he left, he has a 125 OPS+ and 12.0 WAR in 412 games, and he could be atop the Dodgers list of potential targets to replace Michael Conforto as a left-handed hitting outfielder.
Of course, the Dodgers could also simply use Tommy Edman as the everyday center fielder, opening the door for Hyeseong Kim to see an expanded role at second base or top prospect Alex Freeland to play his way into the picture.
It's wise to never rule out the Dodgers as a potential landing spot for any top free agent.
6. Seattle Mariners
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Projected OF: LF Randy Arozarena, CF Julio Rodriguez, RF Victor Robles
Luke Raley was a productive left-handed bat who split his time between the corner outfield spots and first base for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023 and Seattle Mariners in 2024, but he struggled to an 85 OPS+ and minus-0.3 WAR in 2025.
The Mariners could target Bellinger for a similar role, using him as the primary first baseman if Josh Naylor walks in free agency, while also deploying him in the outfield if they can find a part-time veteran bat who can also man first base.
The deals to acquire Naylor and Eugenio Suárez at the deadline highlighted the Mariners need for offensive help alongside Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh, and with both of those veterans ticketed for free agency, that need returns.
It's a small sample size, but Bellinger is a .333/.400/.600 hitter with three doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in 50 plate appearances at T-Mobile Park.
5. New York Mets
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Projected OF: LF Juan Soto, CF Tyrone Taylor, RF Juan Soto
With Starling Marte and Cedric Mullins both headed for free agency, the Mets have a hole to fill in the outfield, unless they want to continue using Jeff McNeil in the grass.
Tyrone Taylor was a 1.2-WAR player in 2025 on the strength of his defense (8 DRS, 4 OAA), but he hit just .223/.279/.319 for a 70 OPS+ in 341 plate appearances and profiles best as a fourth outfielder on a contender.
They could make an early push to sign Bellinger to play center field, knowing he could also serve as a fallback option at first base if they are unable to come to terms on a new deal with Pete Alonso.
After essentially replacing Juan Soto on the Yankees roster a year ago, he could join him in the Mets outfield, though it's reasonable to expect the Mets front office to prioritize shoring up the pitching staff and hammering out a new deal with Alonso before they turn their attention to another high-profile free agent.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
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Projected OF: LF Jake McCarthy, CF Alek Thomas, RF Corbin Carroll
The Diamondbacks are not generally talked about as big spenders, but after signing Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal last winter, it would be foolish to overlook them as potential players for another major splash.
Veteran Lourdes Gurriel Jr. suffered a torn ACL on Sept. 11 that will keep him sidelined well beyond Opening Day next season, leaving the light-hitting tandem of Alek Thomas (469 PA, .249 BA, 82 OPS+) and Jake McCarthy (222 PA, .204 BA, 62 OPS+) penciled into two starting spots in the outfield.
With Ryan Waldschmidt and Slade Caldwell rising the minor league ranks as two of the team's top prospects, they might be hesitant to block their path with a long-term deal for an outfielder.
However, they also have a question mark at first base after a lackluster showing from deadline pickup Tyler Locklear, so Bellinger could also serve as an option at that position while they sort out their best future lineup.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
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Projected OF: LF Brandon Marsh, CF Johan Rojas, RF Nick Castellanos
With Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suárez both likely to command $100 million paydays this winter in free agency and catcher J.T. Realmuto also set to hit the open market with no clear in-house replacement, the Phillies have some big decisions to make this winter.
Regardless, with Harrison Bader and Max Kepler both headed for free agency, change is coming in the outfield.
That could mean giving a long look to top prospect Justin Crawford during spring training after he had a strong season at Triple-A, or potentially even considering a return to the grass for Bryce Harper.
However, Bellinger would be an excellent consolation prize if they are unable to bring back Schwarber, with Nick Castellanos shifting into the everyday DH role and at least part of that power production replaced in the lineup.
2. San Francisco Giants
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Projected OF: LF Heliot Ramos, CF Jung Hoo Lee, RF Drew Gilbert
Jung Hoo Lee (-18 DRS, -5 OAA) and Heliot Ramos (-6 DRS, -9 OAA) were two of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball in 2025, so while the conversation here has frequently been what type offensive impact Bellinger might have on a team, he would also represent a massive defensive upgrade for the Giants.
Rookie Drew Gilbert provided a spark with his high-energy style of play, but he ultimately hit just .190/.248/.350 in 109 plate appearances, so expecting him to step into an everyday role in 2026 could be a stretch.
After years of whiffing on high-profile free agents, the Giants convinced Matt Chapman to sign a long-term extension and then reeled in Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million deal last winter.
Can Buster Posey and the new-look front office make another splash this winter and shore up an outfield with more questions than answers?
1. New York Yankees
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Projected OF: LF Jasson Dominguez, CF Spencer Jones, RF Aaron Judge
At the end of the day, the most likely outcome for Bellinger this offseason might be to simply re-up with the Yankees on a new, long-term deal that ensures Aaron Judge will continue to have sufficient protection in the middle of the lineup.
Breakout center fielder Trent Grisham is also a free agent, and while he put together a fantastic 2025 season, his track record suggests the Yankees might be best served letting someone else pay for his career year.
On the other hand, Bellinger has firmly re-established himself as a standout offensive player, and should still have multiple prime years remaining after turning 30 on July 13.
Jasson Domínguez hit .236/.300/.318 after the All-Star break, while prospect Spencer Jones struck out 179 times in 116 games in the minors. Both are capable of making an impact, but trusting both of them to handle a starting job is a recipe for disaster, and that should make bringing back Bellinger a top priority.
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