Cody Bellinger’s free agency is shaping up to be a waiting game - and that’s exactly how his agent, Scott Boras, seems to want it. With the Winter Meetings in the rearview and several big names still unsigned, the Bellinger sweepstakes remain wide open. One thing is clear: the market is waiting for a domino to fall, and Boras appears to be eyeing Kyle Tucker’s deal as a potential tone-setter before Bellinger makes his move.
That’s why when Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman recently said he “may have to be a little patient” in targeting LA’s next position player, ears perked up. Around the league, that comment felt less like a vague statement and more like a subtle nod toward a possible reunion with Bellinger.
And it wouldn’t be a stretch. Friedman also made it clear the Dodgers are looking to add a player who excels on both sides of the ball.
That’s Bellinger in a nutshell - a Gold Glove-caliber defender with the kind of offensive upside that can anchor a lineup when he’s right. It’s no secret LA values versatility, and Bellinger brings plenty of it.
But he’s not the only name that fits that mold. Brendan Donovan of the St.
Louis Cardinals has also been on the Dodgers’ radar this offseason. Donovan’s defensive flexibility is elite - he can slot in just about anywhere - and his bat has turned a corner, culminating in a breakout All-Star season in 2025.
That said, recent reports suggest the Giants and Mariners are currently leading that chase.
Still, if you’re reading between the lines of what Friedman’s been saying, it’s clear the Dodgers are zoning in on an outfielder - someone who can cover ground, hold their own at the plate, and slide into multiple roles without missing a beat. That’s why names like Steven Kwan, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and yes, Bellinger, have all been floated in recent weeks.
Friedman also emphasized that the Dodgers aren’t locked into one specific outfield configuration right now. There’s flexibility, and that’s where Bellinger’s value really shines.
He can play all three outfield spots, plus first base, just like he did with the Yankees in 2025. That kind of defensive versatility is gold for a team that’s always tinkering with matchups and maximizing roster depth.
Of course, there’s the elephant in the room: would Bellinger even want to return to the team that non-tendered him back in 2022? It’s a fair question.
But in baseball - especially when championships and paydays are on the table - fences can be mended quickly. Just look at Edwin Díaz, who’s already wearing Dodger blue like he’s been there his whole career, despite his past with the Mets.
Speaking of the Mets, they’ve also been linked to Bellinger in recent days. That opens the door to a potential bidding war between the two New York franchises and the reigning back-to-back champs. While the Yankees and Mets have both shown some reluctance to go big this offseason, the Dodgers have never been shy about spending when they see the right fit.
For now, the market remains in a holding pattern, and Bellinger’s next move is still a mystery. But the signs are there.
The Dodgers have the need. Bellinger checks the boxes.
And both sides have left the door open.
Until the ink dries, a reunion in Los Angeles is very much in play.