The landscape of the free-agent market has dramatically shifted in just the last day, and it's likely to change even more in the coming hours. Kyle Tucker, a player the Mets had high hopes of acquiring, is now officially a member of the Dodgers. Meanwhile, Bo Bichette has signed with the Mets, marking a significant change in their roster dynamics. This brings us to Cody Bellinger, who remains a potential backup option for both New York teams, and here’s why that could be pivotal for them.
To put it plainly, the Mets are still on the lookout for another capable outfielder who can contribute offensively. On the other hand, the Yankees are eager to bring in a player like Bellinger to replicate the kind of support Juan Soto provided to Aaron Judge prior to Soto’s unexpected move to the Mets.
Let’s break this down: The Mets have made a bold move by securing Bichette, a shortstop from the Blue Jays who will transition to playing third base for them. It will be interesting to see how this aligns with general manager David Stearns’ strategy focused on improving run prevention at Citi Field next season. Nevertheless, even with this acquisition, the Mets may still be inclined to pursue Bellinger, especially after losing key players like Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo.
Conversely, the situation for the Yankees remains unchanged; they have an even greater need for Bellinger. Reports indicate that his agent, Scott Boras, is seeking a seven-year deal, while the Yankees appear reluctant to extend their offer beyond five years. We might soon discover if the Yankees’ stance shifts—perhaps as swiftly as the Mets acted to secure Bichette after Tucker was off the table, much like Edwin Díaz was previously moved.
What we do know for sure is that, with both Tucker and Bichette now gone, Bellinger stands out as the most significant free agent left available. There is still a possibility of an intense bidding war reminiscent of the fierce competition between the Mets and Yankees over Soto. Such heated negotiations for a prominent free agent are unprecedented in recent baseball history.
Interestingly, it mirrors what occurred when the Dodgers successfully acquired Tucker from the Mets—an action that echoes the Mets’ dealings with the Yankees the previous winter concerning Soto. The Yankees had made their largest-ever offer to Soto, believing it would secure him, while the Mets thought their reported $55 million annual offer for Tucker would prevail until the Dodgers swooped in with an average $60 million per year deal.
With Bichette now off the market, Bellinger remains a highly desirable and adaptable player. He possesses a distinguishing achievement that even Soto lacked last offseason: he is a former MVP. Although it may seem that Los Angeles currently dominates the baseball scene, it’s worth remembering that Bellinger earned his MVP title while still playing for the Dodgers in 2019.
Since the conclusion of last season, the Yankees have been vocal about their desire to retain Bellinger, recognizing his value not only as a hitter but also as a fielder and teammate. In many respects, he proved to be the Yankees' second most crucial player in 2025, following Judge. With 29 home runs and 98 RBIs over 152 games, he may not have matched the batting order protection Soto provided the prior year, but he certainly offered enough for the Yankees to want him back.
Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman has repeatedly emphasized how well-suited Bellinger is for the team, often adding that he would be a great fit for any organization. This underscores Cashman's clear intent to bring Bellinger back into the fold. Recent events with Tucker have illustrated that sometimes teams must reassess how much they are willing to invest, particularly for a player they genuinely need.
The Dodgers continue to accumulate talent and invest heavily because, despite their skill level, they understand the competitive landscape of baseball. They narrowly avoided elimination against the Padres in the October 2024 playoffs and came perilously close to losing Game 7 to the Blue Jays in October 2025 before ultimately prevailing. This awareness drives their aggressive approach.
After missing out on Tucker, the Mets needed to make a move, which they accomplished by signing Bichette, yet they still have more work ahead following last season's disappointing finish. It's possible that the next significant transaction could belong to the Yankees. Why? Because for them, both Plan A and Plan B revolve around securing Cody Bellinger.
