Cody Bellinger’s exceptional performance during the 2023 season with the Chicago Cubs has positioned him as a highly sought-after free agent this offseason. The New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to acquire his services, and it appears they both have ambitious plans for their rosters.
Both the Yankees and the Giants have identified a need in their outfield, making Bellinger an attractive target due to his stellar 2023 statistics, which include a batting average of .307, 26 home runs, 97 runs batted in, 20 stolen bases, and an impressive .881 OPS.
In addition to pursuing Bellinger, the Yankees are exploring the possibility of a trade with the San Diego Padres to acquire Juan Soto. On the other hand, the Giants are eyeing another significant free agency signing in the form of star third baseman Matt Chapman.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, “The Yankees and San Francisco Giants are widely viewed as the co-favorites now to sign free-agent center fielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. The Yankees would love to have Bellinger and Juan Soto roaming their outfield, while the Giants would also like to also have free-agent Matt Chapman playing third base for them.”
Both the Yankees and the Giants have ambitious aspirations for the upcoming season, with the goal of returning to the playoffs. Adding a top-notch left-handed hitter like Bellinger would significantly bolster their chances of achieving this objective.
While Bellinger is likely to attract interest from multiple teams, both the Yankees and the Giants appear prepared to offer him an enticing contract. Bellinger’s powerful left-handed swing would be a natural fit for the short right field porch at Yankee Stadium. However, with the Giants also in the mix, a fierce competition for Bellinger’s services in free agency may be on the horizon.