MLB Rumors: 3 Frontrunners To Sign Cody Bellinger Revealed

December 18, 2025 , ,
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger rounds the bases during 2025 game.

The New York Yankees might be sitting in the driver’s seat in the Cody Bellinger sweepstakes, at least for now. 

MLB.com’s running tracker notes MLB Network Radio’s Jim Bowden views the Yankees, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers as the most likely landing spots “in that order,” while also calling Bellinger’s market robust.

This past season, Bellinger posted a .272/.334/.480 triple-slash line, with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, and 89 runs scored across 152 games played.

Why the Yankees are still the favorite for Cody Bellinger

The biggest thing working in New York’s favor is priority and fit. MLB.com also notes that re signing Bellinger “remained the Yankees’ top priority” coming out of the Winter Meetings, even with other big spenders lurking. 

And it is not hard to see why the Yankees want him back. He just popped 29 homers with a strong overall season, plus he can cover multiple spots in the outfield and even handle first base when needed.

How the Mets and Dodgers could still steal Bellinger

The New York Mets have an obvious opening and a very real need to make a splash, especially after roster turnover. MLB.com also points out Jon Paul Morosi framing Bellinger as an even cleaner fit for the Mets after Pete Alonso’s exit, which keeps the crosstown pressure on the Yankees. 

As for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the nostalgia angle is real, but the bigger selling point is contention and comfort. Bellinger knows the organization and the market, and if their offseason plan shifts, a reunion stays on the table.

Right now, it feels like the Yankees are the team everyone has to beat, but it only takes one aggressive offer to flip the whole board.

Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

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