Cody Bellinger has officially re-entered the free agency market. The outfielder exercised his player opt-out on Monday, which allows him to forego the final year of his contract with the Yankees, valued at $25 million. This decision signals his return to free agency, where he is expected to attract significant interest.
Cody Bellinger’s Performance and Options
During his time with the Yankees, Bellinger showcased his versatility. He excelled defensively in all three outfield positions as well as at first base. His offensive stats were impressive, with a batting average of .272 and an OPS of .813. Bellinger also recorded 29 home runs and 13 stolen bases over the season.
Impactful Season and Potential Bidder Landscape
Bellinger concluded the season with a wins above replacement (bWAR) of 5.0, marking his best performance since his National League MVP season in 2019 when he achieved a bWAR of 8.7. Despite the Yankees potentially pursuing a reunion, competition for the 30-year-old’s services is anticipated, given his strong season.
Previous Contracts and Future Prospects
Before joining the Yankees, Bellinger had signed a three-year, $80 million deal with the Cubs ahead of the 2024 season. This contract included opt-out clauses after both the first and second seasons. He chose not to opt out following his first year with the Cubs, leading to his subsequent trade to the Yankees in a salary dump.
- Current Free Agent Status: Exercised opt-out from Yankees contract
- Value of Opt-Out Year: $25 million
- 2025 Season Stats:
- Batting Average: .272
- OPS: .813
- Home Runs: 29
- Stolen Bases: 13
- bWAR: 5.0 (Highest since 2019)
This offseason, another player, Kyle Tucker, is considered the top free-agent position player available. However, Bellinger remains a strong competitor in the market, and his performance will influence his value significantly.
