Free Agent Profile: Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF

Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF

Position: 1B/OF B/T: L/L

Player Data: Age: 30 (7/13/1995)

2025 Traditional Stats: 657 PA, .272/.334/.480/.813, 160 H, 29 HR, 98 RBI

2025 Advanced Stats: 125 wRC+, 13.7% K%, 7.9% BB%, .274 BABiP, .322 xwOBA, 4.9 fWAR, 5.1 bWAR, 7 DRS (LF), -3 DRS (CF), 8 DRS (RF), -1 DRS (1B), 4 OAA (LF), -1 OAA (CF), 2 OAA (RF), 0 OAA (1B)

Rundown

Former NL MVP Cody Bellinger may be among the most polarizing free agents in baseball. In his final three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he struggled heavily after undergoing shoulder surgery and was non-tendered following the 2022 campaign, which was only three years after he won his MVP Award.

He signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs for the 2023 season and turned in a big bounce-back campaign, but was unable to secure a long-term contract in free agency. Instead, Bellinger took a three-year deal with opt-outs after each season to return to the Cubs.

In his first year of that contract in 2024, he missed a chunk of the season and decided not to opt out. He was then traded to the New York Yankees and had a strong 2025 season, leading him to opt out of the final year of his deal. This marks the fourth time in as many years that Bellinger has had to ability to test free agency, and he is reportedly looking for a long-term deal, but it remains unclear if his wishes will be granted.

Bellinger’s slash line in 2025 was amplified by playing in Yankee Stadium. At home, he batted .302/.365/.544 for a .909 OPS and 152 wRC+. On the road, he slashed .241/.301/.414 for a .715 OPS and 97 wRC+. It isn’t as simple as saying he cannot hit outside of Yankee Stadium, though, as Wrigley Field is known for being brutal on left-handed hitters, and across the two seasons he called it home, he slashed .275/.328/.475 for an .802 OPS and 120 wRC+. Sometimes, single home/away season splits can be more noise than anything else.

Under the hood, there are both plenty of things to like with Bellinger and plenty of things to be concerned about.

The Good

• 91st percentile in K rate (13.7%)
• 90th percentile in Pull Air% (20.5%)
• 84th percentile in Whiff Rate (18.1%)
• 80th percentile in Pull% (43%)
• 79th percentile in Zone Contact (87.5%)
• 76th percentile in LA sweet spot (37.1%)
• 72nd percentile in Squared Up% (28.1%)

The Red Flags

• 36th percentile in Barrel Rate (7.5%)
• 33rd percentile in Max EV (110.2 MPH)
• 26th percentile in Hard Hit Rate (37.9%)
• 24th percentile in Average EV (88.8 MPH)
• 20th percentile in Bat Speed (70.1%)
• 20th percentile in 90th EV (102.7 MPH)

Bellinger was also right around league average in walk rate at 8.7% (54th percentile), which prevented him from having a very high on-base percentage despite the high average. His value comes from being an above-average hitter while also being elite defensively in the corner outfield spots with some flexibility to play in center field and an ability to slot in at first base as well. He was also 72nd percentile in sprint speed at 28.2 feet per second, which stayed consistent with his previous two seasons.

Contract

MLB Trade Rumors projected Bellinger to ink a five-year contract totaling $140 million. That would be just below the five-year, $150 million deal Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles this offseason.

Recommendation: Worth Checking In

If Bellinger is unable to find that five-year or longer contract, he could fit the Mets on a short-term contract. The Yankees have reportedly made a formal offer to retain Bellinger, per the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, but the terms are not yet known.

On a three-year deal, Bellinger could fit the Mets’ roster as a left-handed bat that could play both corner outfield spots, first base, and provide some flexibility in center field as needed. He is projected to provide similar offensive value to Brandon Nimmo, but with much better defense. On a short-term deal, he could be a fit for this Mets roster, but on a longer-term contract, the club would likely find themselves in the same situation they were with Nimmo a few years from now.

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