Cody Bellinger Landing Spots: 3 teams the Yankees outfielder could sign with this offseason

Cody Bellinger is reportedly opting out of the third year of his $80 million contract and will head into free agency. The market will likely be stacked for the 2019 National League MVP, who had a stellar season for the New York Yankees following his trade from the Chicago Cubs ahead of the season.

Bellinger hit at .272 with 98 RBIs and 29 homers, finishing with a 5.0 bWAR and 4.9 fWAR, both second-highest on the Yankees. The 30-year-old clipped his strikeout rate to a career-low 13.7% and provided versatility, playing at least 40 games in each outfield position. He finished top three in the list of qualified left fielders in defensive run value.

The Yankees will be hoping to re-sign Bellinger, but other teams in need of outfield reinforcements will also be keeping tabs on his situation.

Here's a look at three potential landing spots for Bellinger:

#1 New York Mets

New York Mets center fielder Cedric Mullins is set to head into free agency. With Pete Alonso also opting out, the team faces uncertainty at first base, a position Bellinger played seven games last season.

The Mets have the option of Tyrone Taylor, who recorded 8 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and 4 Outs Above Average (OAA) last season. However, with a .223 average and an OPS+ of 70, a longer-term solution in the center field position will likely aid the Mets' cause.

#2 San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants have a strong defensive backup in the outfield in Taylor. Two of the Giants' primary outfielders, Jung Hoo Lee and Heliot Ramos, recorded a combined -24 DRS and -15 OAA this season. They are far from pushing 2025 rookie Drew Gilbert, who hit .190 in 109 plate appearances, into a permanent outfield role next year.

The Giants were missing potency in the latter half of the season. Bellinger's offensive production could push them over the hump after they missed the playoffs by just 2.0 games.

#3 Philadelphia Phillies

The outfield might not be an immediate concern for the Philadelphia Phillies, who have Brandon Marsh, Nick Castellanos, and Johan Rojas, along with backup in the form of Warren Wilson. But their depth will be affected by the free agency of Harrison Bader and Max Kepler.

It is unclear if the Phillies will be able to bring back the star free agency trio of DH Kyle Schwarber, catcher J.T. Realmuto, and pitcher Ranger Suarez. Bellinger could be added to compensate for the potential loss of firepower.