When Cody Bellinger hits the free agent market, things tend to heat up. But this winter, the temperature spiked fast - and not because of his stat line. It was one number, one tweet, and one agent who knows exactly how to take control of the room.
That agent, of course, is Scott Boras.
The buzz started when a report claimed Bellinger was seeking an eye-popping eight-year, $400 million deal - a figure that sent shockwaves through the baseball world. The number landed well above most industry projections, which had Bellinger’s market value pegged closer to six years and somewhere in the $165-180 million range.
The report came from MLB writer Barry M. Bloom, who posted the figure on X (formerly Twitter) on December 19.
But it didn’t last long. Boras, never one to let misinformation linger - especially when it involves one of his top clients - quickly pushed back.
According to Bloom, Boras demanded a retraction, and Bloom complied, citing their long-standing professional relationship. Still, Bloom stood by the credibility of his original source and suggested the inflated number may have been part of a negotiation tactic.
Boras, for his part, didn’t offer a new figure. But the message was clear: $400 million wasn’t the number, and he wasn’t about to let it become the narrative.
Here’s the thing - context matters. Bellinger is coming off a strong 2025 campaign, one that reestablished his value in a big way.
He played 152 games, hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs, and posted a .334 on-base percentage with a .480 slugging mark. That’s not just solid production - that’s a player who can anchor a lineup and play multiple positions in the field.
He's versatile, he's proven, and he's still just 30 years old.
But $400 million? That’s franchise-player, face-of-the-league money - and while Bellinger has had MVP-caliber seasons in the past, that number didn’t stick. Boras made sure of it.
Still, Bellinger’s market is active, and the Mets are very much in the mix.
New York’s other team has already made waves this offseason, continuing a trend that started last year when they pulled off the blockbuster trade for Juan Soto. They’ve since added Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, and now they’re reportedly eyeing another big name from the Bronx: Bellinger.
According to SportsGrid analyst Paul Connor, as cited by Newsweek on December 20, the Mets are predicted to land Bellinger on a deal projected around $168 million - a number that aligns with earlier expectations and one reported by Jim Bowden of The Athletic.
The fit makes sense. The Mets need a reliable, everyday outfielder, and with the Yankees turning their attention toward Kyle Tucker, the door is wide open. Queens is pushing, and Bellinger could be the next big piece in their offseason puzzle.
So while the $400 million headline may have flamed out quickly, the real story is still unfolding. Bellinger is a hot commodity in a market that’s moving fast - and with Boras steering the ship, don’t expect anything less than a headline-worthy finish.