MLB insider drops major blow to Yankees’ Cody Bellinger hopes; Dodgers, Mets viewed as potential frontrunners

MLB insider Jon Heyman has dropped a big update on Cody Bellinger's potential reunion with the New York Yankees. The outfielder continues to attract plenty of attention this offseason after he opted out of his contract.

On Monday, Heyman acknowledged that the Yankees are interested in re-signing Bellinger. However, the current situation keeps the gates open for other teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies to invade in his free agency:

"It doesn’t feel right now that they are very close in the discussion, so that gives hope to the other teams, the Mets, the Dodgers, potentially the Phillies; probably a big-market team for Bellinger," Heyman said. "He’s played only for L.A., Chicago, and New York to this point. I really don’t see him going to a small market, but you never know, we know Kansas City’s looking for offense, so you never know.

Despite stating the obvious, Heyman believes that the Yankees continue to be on top of Bellinger's free agency and suggested that there is a mutual interest there.

"I do think Bellinger probably will end up in one of those biggest markets that I just mentioned," Heyman added. "Yankees are probably the favorite. He loved it there; I do believe his dad played there.”

Mets hint at targeting outfielder Cody Bellinger: Jon Heyman

In his column for the New York Post, Jon Heyman reported that Mets general manager David Stearns affirmed the possibility of bringing back Edwin Diaz, Pete Alonso, and also signing a big outfielder, possibly Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger.

Heyman also talked about why Bellinger, because of his versatility to play most positions in the field, becomes a good fit for the Mets, now that they have traded Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers after a postseason-less 2025 campaign.

"Cody Bellinger looks like a better Mets fit now that Nimmo has been traded," Heyman wrote. "If they bring back Alonso (things feel much more positive this year than last), Bellinger could enhance the 1B situation by giving Alonso a DH day."

It remains to be seen if Bellinger re-signs with either of former teams between Yankees and the Dodgers or go to a new home between the Mets and the Phillies.