The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the past two seasons at the top of the baseball world, and this winter, they may revisit a familiar name as they size up the outfield market. Cody Bellinger, once the face of the franchise and the 2019 NL MVP, is expected to draw interest from multiple contenders — including the team that drafted him.
A Crowded Market for a Former Dodgers MVP
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According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Bellinger will not lack suitors if his negotiations with the New York Yankees stall. Passan reported that the Yankees “would like a return engagement with Bellinger — particularly if Trent Grisham rejects a qualifying offer,” while also noting that the Toronto Blue Jays view him “as a perfectly good alternative to [Kyle] Tucker.” Most notably for fans in Southern California, Passan added that “the Dodgers, who nontendered Bellinger three years ago, have expressed interest as they peruse the outfield market.”
Bellinger’s history in Los Angeles is well-documented. Drafted in 2013, he delivered six seasons of elite production, 152 home runs, and a starring role in the club’s 2020 championship run. His departure after 2022 felt abrupt, but his resurgence since has reopened doors that once seemed closed.
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New York’s Balancing Act
The Yankees, meanwhile, face their own calculus. General manager Brian Cashman has been direct about his interest in keeping Bellinger in the Bronx.
“We’re very interested in bringing him back,” Cashman told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “He’s going to have a lot of choices because he can do a lot of different things… We would be better served if we could retain him.”
The complication — at least on paper — was Trent Grisham’s qualifying offer. But as MLB insider Greg Joyce reported, Grisham’s return “should not impact the top Yankees priority — re-signing Cody Bellinger,” noting Cashman plans to keep discussions open with agent Scott Boras regardless.
Still, roster congestion looms. With Jasson Domínguez, Grisham, Aaron Judge, and top prospect Spencer Jones all factors, New York’s outfield could become crowded quickly. That reality doesn’t eliminate their interest, but it may tighten their overall offseason budget.
Decision Time Ahead
Bellinger delivered 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and elite defensive value in 2025 — a profile that makes him one of the most coveted bats available. The Yankees remain the incumbent favorites, but both Toronto and Los Angeles represent compelling alternatives on teams built to contend immediately.
As winter approaches, Bellinger’s choice may help shape the top of the 2026 playoff picture — and could even set the stage for a blockbuster reunion in Chavez Ravine.