Kyle Tucker linked to $8.2B franchise as 16 MLB execs unanimously rule out Cody Bellinger's return

Following a strong season in the Bronx, All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger opted out of his contract with the New York Yankees at the end of last season. While the Bronx Bombers were hoping to re-sign Bellinger in the offseason, ESPN's survey of MLB executives ruled out his return.

The MLB executives ruled out Bellinger's return to the $8.2 billion franchise (per Forbes), with seven of the 16 voting in favor of Kyle Schwarber returning to the Philadelphia Phillies after a record-breaking 2025 season.

Four executives voted in favor of Pete Alonso returning to the New York Mets and Alex Bregman re-signing with the Boston Red Sox in the offseason.

While the Yankees are expected to miss out on a reunion with Bellinger, they are among the favorites to land another major bat in free agency. According to the MLB executives, the Yankees are expected to sign former Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Tucker was traded to the Chicago Cubs last December and had a strong season with the NL franchise. The four-time All-Star slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.

Cody Bellinger could reunite with Los Angeles Dodgers after Yankees exit

Cody Bellinger might not return to the Yankees in the offseason, but the All-Star outfielder could reunite with another former team, as MLB insider Will Leitch believes he could return to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"He’s not the MVP he was way back when, but he’s still an extremely valuable player -- particularly to the Dodgers, who are very much in need of an outfielder or two (including someone who can play center, like Bellinger)," Leitch said.

"It would be pretty wild to see Bellinger go from Dodgers MVP to Dodgers Non-Tender to Dodgers Free-Agent Signing in the span of six years."

Bellinger was selected by the Dodgers in the 2013 draft and made his MLB debut four years later. He was named the NL Rookie of the Year in his debut season and was named the NLCS MVP a year later.

His best MLB season came in 2019, when he registered a career-best batting average of .305, 47 home runs and 115 RBIs. He was named the NL MVP that year.