Cody Bellinger’s free agency is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing storylines of the MLB offseason-and not just because of his on-field talent. The former MVP is represented by Scott Boras, a name that carries as much weight in contract negotiations as many of the players he represents. Boras has made a career out of maximizing value for his clients, and this winter looks like another classic case of strategic patience.
Bellinger, who bounced back in a big way last season, is in a position to command a significant deal. But don’t expect anything to happen quickly. With Boras at the helm, there’s a good chance Bellinger waits for the market to take shape-especially when players like Kyle Tucker are still unsigned.
According to recent reporting, the top tier of position players-Bellinger, Tucker, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette-are still on the board, and their markets are just starting to heat up. Tucker has reportedly already met with the Blue Jays, while the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers are all keeping tabs. That’s important because Tucker’s eventual deal could set the benchmark for what Bellinger commands.
If Tucker ends up landing a monster deal-something in the ballpark of $400 million-then Boras will almost certainly use that as leverage to push for a contract north of $225 million for Bellinger. And you can’t exactly blame him.
While Tucker is younger and arguably more consistent, Bellinger’s ceiling-when he’s right-is MVP-level. That kind of upside doesn’t come cheap.
The Yankees, who have already made a splash this offseason, remain a potential landing spot. But their level of interest in Bellinger could depend on how the rest of the market unfolds. If they pivot to other free agents or trade targets first, Bellinger might be left waiting for the right fit-or the right number.
At the end of the day, this is classic Boras. He’s not just selling a player-he’s selling a vision of what that player could be, especially in the right situation.
For Bellinger, that means waiting until the market dictates his true value. And for teams in need of a left-handed bat with power, defense, and postseason experience, the clock is ticking.