SF Giants expected to be among top suitors for former Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger
The SF Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and San Diego Padres are expected to lead the market for Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger this offseason, according to a report by USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale. He did point out that all of those teams will likely be involved in the bidding for Angels megastar Shohei Ohtani, but noted that Bellinger will likely be the second-best position player on the market.
"The price-tag will be heavy, exceeding $200 million, perhaps even seeking more than $300 million," Nightengale said about Bellinger's market. "The most aggressive suitors are expected to be: The Cubs, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees."
Bellinger is well known in San Francisco, a former MVP who was a bright star in LA from 2017-19, slowed down in 2020, and then struggled immensely between 2021-22. When the Dodgers non-tendered him after the 2022 season, no one was all that shocked. But Bellinger, sure that he could bounce back in the right environment, bet on himself, signing a one-year $17.5 million dollar contract with the Chicago Cubs.
In Chicago, he's been on fire, batting .319/.365/.546 with 22 home runs and 81 runs batted in, helping keep his team in position to either take the NL Central title, or secure a wild card berth.
Before he settled with the Cubs for the 2023 season, the Giants were also very interested in the former division-rival. As the Aaron Judge chronicles were coming to a close, Giants President of baseball operation Farhan Zaidi signaled that he was looking to add a couple of outfielders. And Bellinger, a Scott Boras client, had signaled to teams that he was very interested in just a one-year deal, which the Giants and Zaidi are known for favoring.
Ultimately, San Francisco signed Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto and Bellinger, of course, headed to the midwest. However the season ends for Bellinger and the Cubs, his consistency this season has been something the Giants have sorely lacked, which likely makes his performance this year all the more enticing. But if the Cubs see post-season success beyond the NLDS, they may not be willing to let him go either.
Of note to Giants fans, Nightengale also shared that he believes if Shohei Ohtani's bidding war goes over $500 million, the Dodgers, Giants, Padres, and potentially the Seattle Mariners are the most likely parties to win his contract. Ohtani's camp has signaled that he would like to remain on the West Coast, close to his family in Japan.
But aside from that, he's made it clear he'd also like to sign with a team interested in becoming a contender immediately, if not the year he signs. Though the SF Giants have surprised many with their showing this season in spite of their minimal off-season signings, they're a bit far from immediate championship contention. But stranger things have happened.
