The Mets have had an offseason defined by aggressive pivots. First, they traded away longtime franchise cornerstone Brandon Nimmo, creating a massive vacancy in the outfield. Then, they swung for the fences with Kyle Tucker, only to watch him sign a staggering four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While the front office immediately responded by signing Bo Bichette to anchor third base, the hole in the outfield remains glaring. However, the blueprint for filling it has been revealed, and it points directly to one man: Cody Bellinger.
According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Mets aren’t just looking for a bat; they are looking for a very specific defensive profile to balance their roster.
“In the wake of their splashiest move of the offseason, the New York Mets are eyeing a versatile outfielder who can handle center field and support the corner spots, people familiar with their plans said.”
There is perhaps no player remaining on the market who embodies that description better than Bellinger.
Why Bellinger Checks Every Box
Bellinger is coming off a Gold Glove-caliber season with the New York Yankees, proving he is fully engaged and physically capable of patrolling left field at an elite level. This versatility is crucial for the Mets, who need a player capable of handling left but offering versatility across the board.
Offensively, Bellinger brings a high-contact profile that aligns with the Mets’ new philosophy of putting the ball in play. While his left-handed swing is tailor-made for the short porch at Yankee Stadium and might not match up perfectly with the dimensions of Citi Field, he still possesses the pull-side power to hit 20+ home runs annually. He offers a solid floor of production with elite defense, a combination that makes him the best option left on the board.
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The Cohen Strategy: High AAV, Short Term
Owner Steve Cohen has shown he has no issue spending big money, provided it doesn’t hamstring the franchise for a decade. This preference for high-AAV, shorter-term deals makes the Mets a perfect landing spot for Bellinger, who is looking to maximize his earnings. A three or four-year deal with a record-breaking annual salary could entice Bellinger to move to Queens, giving him financial security while allowing the Mets to maintain long-term flexibility.
If the Mets can secure Bellinger, their offseason checklist narrows down to just one item: a starting pitcher. With the lineup bolstered by Bichette and the outfield stabilized by a versatile star like Bellinger, the Mets would head into the 2026 season in formidable shape.
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