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Cody Bellinger Considered Dodgers Reunion Last Winter
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Cody Bellinger Considered Dodgers Reunion Last Winter

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Joe Najarian  |  Last updated Jul 19, 2026 2:23 PM ET
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The New York Yankees were successful in bringing back Cody Bellinger last winter, signing him to a five-year, $162.5 million contract to stay in pinstripes.

Bellinger was the Yankees' top priority during the offseason, but the Bronx Bombers stayed disciplined with their offers to the 31-year-old outfielder. After a number of other potential suitors went in different directions, Bellinger's camp, led by agent Scott Boras, circled back to the Yankees and hammered out a deal.

One of those potential suitors were the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were looking to further improve their star-studded roster after repeating as World Series champions. Bellinger began his career in Chavez Ravine and was one of the best players in baseball in his first three years with the club.

Ultimately, the Dodgers exited the Bellinger sweepstakes after signing a lucrative deal with fellow left-handed hitting outfielder Kyle Tucker. But with the Dodgers coming to the Bronx to play the Yankees this weekend, Bellinger revealed there was mutual interest in a reunion in Los Angeles.

“There was definitely a possibility,” Bellinger told Dylan Hernandez of The California Post. “There was some dialogue there, for sure.”

Bellinger's tenure with the Dodgers produced lots of hardware. He won NL Rookie of the Year in 2017, NLCS MVP in 2018, NL MVP in 2019 and the World Series in 2020. But after a brutal 2021 season and not too much improvement in 2022, the Dodgers non-tendered their former superstar and he signed with the Chicago Cubs.

Despite the difficult end to his time in Los Angeles, Bellinger chooses to focus on the good times.

“There’s nothing but love and respect between us,” Bellinger said. “I think we accomplished some amazing things. I know, for me, I think about the good memories over there. We had a lot of them.”

Bellinger's ultimate goal during his free agency period was to sign with a team that could allow him to play in another World Series. Of course, the Dodgers fit the bill, but the Yankees did as well. Combined with the desire of a long-term contract to keep his family in place, as well as the Dodgers' eventual deal with Tucker, the Yankees became the last suitor remaining.

Even with the long negotiation process, Bellinger was more than happy to remain a Yankee. He had a well-known connection to the club as his father, Clay, won World Series rings with them in 1999 and 2000. He enjoyed a great first season in the Bronx, as Bellinger's 4.9 fWAR in 2025 was his best since winning MVP in 2019. He's even added more hardware as a Yankee, winning All-Star Game MVP this year.

This season, Bellinger has totaled 2.6 fWAR in 95 games; he's hitting .254/.344/.419 with 11 home runs, 51 RBI and a 116 wRC+, while logging six fielding runs and 15 Defensive Runs Saved in the outfield. He's outperformed Tucker so far this season, who has only 0.9 fWAR and a 101 wRC+ in 92 games.

But there is nothing but good vibes between Bellinger and the Dodgers, to the point where a West Coast reunion was a legitimate possibility.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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