The Mets may be battling the Yankees for a free agent outfielder again, according to a report by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. The Mets are one of several teams interested in free agent Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger, 30, hit .272/.334/.480 with 29 homers, 98 RBIs and 13 steals for the Yankees this year. He posted 5.1 bWAR and played in 152 games, the most since his 2019 MVP season with the Dodgers.
Heyman reported that re-signing Bellinger is the Yankees’ top priority, but also noted that the same was true of Juan Soto a year ago. The Mets, he also noted, currently have holes at first base and in center field. Bellinger can play both spots, though he only started seven games at first for the Yanks this year.
Heyman projects a six-year, $180 million contract for Bellinger. He said there were other teams outside of New York interested, but didn’t name them.
The one downside for the Mets regarding Bellinger is that he is a left-handed hitter, Heyman reported. The top of the Mets’ lineup includes the left-handed hitting Soto and Brandon Nimmo. Switch-hitting Francisco Lindor also hit better from the left side last year (.870 OPS vs. .682).
Heyman also reported that the Dodgers may not be a “big player” for Edwin Díaz despite their need for a closer and that the Dodgers, Giants and Blue Jays may be in on outfielder Kyle Tucker, considered the top free agent this offseason.
