Giants Reportedly Eyeing Cody Bellinger - But Is This More Smoke Than Fire?
It’s December, which means two things in MLB: free agents are getting courted, and the San Francisco Giants are once again “checking in” on a marquee name. This time, it’s Cody Bellinger - former MVP, Gold Glove outfielder, and one of the most intriguing bats on the market.
On paper, it sounds promising. But if you’ve followed the Giants’ recent offseasons, you know the drill.
Let’s unpack this.
Bellinger isn’t your typical bounce-back candidate or one-year flyer. He’s not a reclamation project looking to rebuild value.
He’s a legit, long-term investment - a player who just put together a strong offensive season and brings elite defense and versatility to the table. He’s also repped by Scott Boras, which means the price tag isn’t going to be light.
Industry projections have Bellinger commanding a deal north of $180 million, likely in the six-year range.
That’s not speculative - that’s the cost of doing business with a Boras client who’s still in his prime. And that’s where things get complicated for San Francisco.
The Giants have talked a big game in recent years about landing top-tier talent, but the results haven’t matched the rhetoric. While division rivals like the Dodgers have locked up stars and stayed aggressive at the top of the market, San Francisco’s front office has often opted for mid-tier signings and short-term deals. They’ve prioritized “financial flexibility” - a phrase that sounds good in theory but often translates to passing on premium talent when the price gets real.
Bellinger, meanwhile, is the kind of player you build around. He’s coming off a season where he showed he can still drive the ball with authority, cut down strikeouts, and play Gold Glove-caliber defense at multiple positions.
He’s not just a fit - he’s a difference-maker. But Oracle Park isn’t exactly a haven for left-handed power, and Bellinger just spent the season launching balls in one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the league.
That’s a tough sell, especially if the Giants aren’t ready to go all-in.
And that’s the question: Are they?
Because interest is one thing. “Checking in” is easy.
Actually stepping up and making a competitive offer - especially in a market where Boras is involved - is another story entirely. The Dodgers know this game well.
They’ve seen Bellinger at his best, watched him rebound from struggles, and understand both his value and his price. They also know which teams are willing to pay that price - and which ones tend to walk away when the numbers get uncomfortable.
For Giants fans, this situation feels familiar. The team expresses interest, the rumors swirl, and then - just when it seems like something might happen - the story shifts.
“The market didn’t align.” “We liked the player, but the fit wasn’t quite right.”
It’s a pattern that’s played out more than once.
None of this is to say the Giants can’t or won’t make a splash. They’ve got the resources.
They’ve got the need. And Bellinger fits the mold of the kind of player who could help anchor a new era in San Francisco.
But until they actually pull the trigger on a deal like this, the skepticism is earned.
Because in today’s MLB landscape, ambition isn’t measured by how many calls you make - it’s measured by the checks you’re willing to write. And right now, the Giants are still trying to prove they’re ready to play at that level.