Latest Rumors on Cody Bellinger's Free-Agency Strategy and Top MLB Landing Spots

Veteran outfielder Cody Bellinger is one of the top names on the free-agent market this winter, and his representatives are doing what it takes to set him apart from the other coveted players.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, "Bellinger's camp is reminding everyone who'll listen that he's just 1 ½ years older than" fellow free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is 28 years old and considered the No. 1 player on the open market.

Bellinger is coming off a stellar season in his first year with the New York Yankees, hitting .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI, his highest totals since his 2019 NL MVP season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Nightengale went on to add that the Yankees "still are the favorites" to bring Bellinger back, but he noted that they will have some competition for his services. The New York Mets reportedly are "in play," while teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays view him as "a fallback plan."

Bellinger will likely have to wait to see where Tucker ends up before landing his deal, but it sounds like his camp is motivated to elevate him in the eyes of teams looking to spend big this offseason.