MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Cody Bellinger.
Dec. 23: Does Mets' latest trade signal plans to pursue Bellinger?
The Mets continue to shake things up this offseason, trading veteran Jeff McNeil to the Athletics on Monday for teenage pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez. McNeil played primarily second base but made 48 appearances in the outfield in 2025, seeing action mostly in center field (34 games) but also in both corners.
After Brandon Nimmo was dealt to the Rangers for Marcus Semien and Cedric Mullins signed with the Rays, trading McNeil means the Mets have created another vacancy in their outfield. Are they planning a big move to fill it? Not necessarily.
With No. 2 prospect Carson Benge nearing his debut, the Mets don’t want to commit long-term to an external outfielder if it’s not strictly necessary, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
"In this case, Mets officials don’t view it as strictly necessary," DiComo writes. "After just having made the difficult decision to move on from Pete Alonso, the Mets are not eager to sign another player to a long-term deal that would take him into his mid- or late 30s."
So while the top two free-agent outfielders -- right fielder Kyle Tucker and Bellinger -- remain available, they may not be fits with the Mets unless their markets are unexpectedly light.
Dec. 17: Are Yankees the favorites in the Bellinger sweepstakes?
The Yankees, Mets and Dodgers are considered Bellinger's most likely landing spots in that order, according to MLB Network Radio's Jim Bowden. However, there may be other teams involved for the lefty slugger as Bowden calls his market "robust."
Re-signing Bellinger remained the Yankees’ top priority following last week's Winter Meetings, but they will have to fight off at least a couple other big-market contenders to bring him back to the Bronx.
Dec. 11: Is Belli more likely to end up with Mets after Alonso's exit?
The Mets and their fans watched franchise icon Pete Alonso depart for the Orioles on Wednesday as he agreed to a five-year deal worth $155 million. Prior to that move, the Mets already had an opening in their outfield following their trade of Brandon Nimmo -- another fan favorite -- earlier this month. Now the Mets must address that position and their new void at first base.
There is only one marquee free agent who can help at either spot: Bellinger. The Mets already had reported interest in the 30-year-old, but in the wake of Alonso's decision, Bellinger is now an even better fit for the Mets, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi.
The Mets' top competition for Bellinger figures to be the crosstown Yankees, the team he starred for in 2025. Re-signing Bellinger remains a top priority for the Yanks, but his market could also include the Reds, Dodgers, Giants, Blue Jays and Angels, according to Scott Boras, who represents Bellinger. Boras also mentioned the Phillies as a possible suitor for his client on Tuesday, but that was before Philadelphia spent $150 million to bring back left-handed slugger Kyle Schwarber.
Dec. 9: Is it New York vs. New York for Bellinger?
One year after the Mets and Yankees engaged in a fierce battle for Juan Soto in free agency, history could repeat itself with another top free-agent outfielder this winter.
The crosstown rivals both have been linked to Bellinger, and Tuesday’s news may only have increased the chances of Bellinger’s market coming down to the two New York clubs.
The Phillies were also reportedly considering Bellinger as of last week, but Philadelphia’s appetite to pursue him could be diminished after the team reached a five-year, $150 million deal on Tuesday to bring back Kyle Schwarber (per a source), especially when catcher J.T. Realmuto is still unsigned.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers -- another rumored Bellinger suitor -- also made a notable free-agent expenditure on Tuesday, landing closer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million deal. As MLB.com's Mark Feinsand notes, the Dodgers' need for Bellinger is not as dire as some of the other teams pursuing outfielders.
Of course, there could be other teams after Bellinger. His agent, Scott Boras, seemed to suggest Tuesday that the Reds, Giants, Blue Jays and Angels are in the mix in addition to the aforementioned clubs, though his comments should obviously be taken with a grain of salt, considering that it's his job to drum up interest in his client.
Nov. 20: Angels have 'checked in' on Bellinger
Could Bellinger return to Los Angeles, but with another team?
The former MVP spent the first six seasons of his career with the Dodgers, and the defending champs are reportedly interested in a reunion. But the Angels are interested in Bellinger, too, with MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reporting that they have "checked in" on the free agent outfielder.
On Tuesday, the Angels traded outfielder Taylor Ward, a 36-homer bat, and subsequently created a hole in the middle of their lineup. Ward played 153 games last season in left field, which is also where Bellinger -- a plus-defender at all three outfield spots -- spent the majority of his time in 2025 for the Yankees.
Los Angeles could also use an impact left-handed bat, amid a lineup flush with right-handed hitters. As things currently stand, first baseman Nolan Schanuel is the team's only projected starter who bats left-handed.
Nov. 18: Dodgers interested in reunion with Bellinger (report)
Bellinger enjoyed immense success early in his career with the Dodgers -- 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, 2019 NL MVP, 2020 World Series champion -- before his production took a sharp downturn, ultimately leading to him being non-tendered by Los Angeles following the 2022 season.
However, Bellinger’s time as a Dodger may yet have a second chapter. The reigning back-to-back World Series champions have expressed interest in the 30-year-old free agent as they search for an upgrade to their outfield, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
After he and the Dodgers parted ways, Bellinger won a Silver Slugger and was named Comeback Player of the Year as a member of the Cubs in 2023. He is coming off a season with the Yankees in which he produced 29 homers -- his most since hitting 47 during that MVP year -- with 98 RBIs, an .813 OPS and 4.9 FanGraphs WAR, ninth best among primary outfielders.
Capable of playing all three outfield spots, Bellinger tallied seven outs above average and had a +9 fielding run value this past season for the Yanks. He spent the majority of his games in left field, a position where the Dodgers collectively batted .229 with a .385 slugging percentage in 2025. He also remains a plus baserunner, with double-digit steals in three of the past four years.
Passan also said that the Blue Jays like Bellinger, and the Yankees are interested in bringing him back to the Bronx. Per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the Yanks are prioritizing Bellinger after Trent Grisham accepted the qualifying offer on Tuesday to remain in New York's outfield alongside Aaron Judge.