The New York Mets stunned their crosstown rivals last offseason by luring Juan Soto away from the Yankees, and they could be poised to strike again. This time, the target is former MVP and All-Star Cody Bellinger.
Fansided’s Zachary Rotman predicts the Mets as the leading destination for Bellinger, noting that New York could entice him with a short-term contract carrying an exceptionally high average annual value one that other teams may struggle to match. Bellinger was a key contributor for the Yankees last season, so prying him away would deal another significant blow to their rivals.
Rotman explains that even after adding Bo Bichette, the Mets remain interested in Bellinger on a high-AAV, short-term deal similar to Bichette’s recent contract. While Bellinger accepting such an arrangement after opting out of his previous deal seems unlikely, an unusually lucrative annual salary could change the equation. From a roster standpoint, the fit is clear: the Mets still need at least one more outfielder to pair with Juan Soto and could benefit from another powerful bat. In addition, president of baseball operations David Stearns has prioritized run prevention this offseason, and Bellinger’s elite defense would align perfectly with that goal.
Last season, Bellinger posted a .272/.334/.480 slash line with 25 doubles, 29 home runs, and 98 RBIs across 152 games. Adding him to an outfield featuring Soto would give the Mets a formidable lineup alongside Bichette and Francisco Lindor.
The main obstacle, however, is contract length. Bellinger is projected to command a six-year, $182 million deal, and if a team is willing to meet that price, he would likely choose long-term security over a short-term pact with the Mets. Still, if that offer never materializes, New York could once again swoop in and snatch a superstar away from the Yankees.
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