It’s been a fairly quiet offseason thus far within the Bay Space, although the Giants have not less than been linked to a number of notable commerce candidates and free brokers. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser provides one other massive identify to the record, writing that the Giants “have checked in on” Cody Bellinger.
Whereas Bellinger’s capability to play first base most likely wouldn’t be an element for a group with Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge lined up for first base/DH responsibility, Bellinger would slot completely into the Giants’ emptiness in proper discipline. San Francisco might additionally slide Bellinger into left discipline or heart discipline from time to time, relying on how Heliot Ramos or Jung Hoo Lee are deployed. Bellinger is extra of a serviceable heart discipline candidate than a real common, however he’s a robust defender within the corners — his work as a left fielder and proper fielder for the Yankees in 2025 earned +15 Defensive Runs Saved and +6 Outs Above Common.
Bellinger’s bat would even be a pleasant match within the Giants’ lineup, because the 30-year-old is coming off a 125 wRC+ season (29 house runs, .272/.334/.480 in 656 plate appearances) in New York. Bellinger hit much better at Yankee Stadium than he did on the street, which could possibly be a priority for the Giants if Bellinger was enjoying his house video games at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park. On the plus aspect, the left-handed hitting Bellinger hits each right-handed and left-hand pitchers nicely, and he has been one of many tougher batters within the sport to strike out over the past three seasons.
The Giants have been linked to Bellinger a few occasions throughout his previous forays into free company, although that was again when Farhan Zaidi was answerable for San Francisco’s entrance workplace. Present president of baseball operations Buster Posey was nonetheless on the group’s board of administrators on the time, and naturally Posey has loads of on-field expertise in going through off in opposition to Bellinger again throughout Bellinger’s days as a staple of the Dodgers lineup. Posey has additionally achieved enterprise with one other Scott Boras consumer in Matt Chapman, as Posey was instrumental in getting Chapman’s extension finalized late within the 2024 season.
It’s attainable the Giants’ name on Bellinger might need been routine due diligence, or simply to check the waters to gauge Bellinger’s curiosity in coming to San Francisco. The bigger query, in fact, is whether or not or not the Giants are keen to fulfill Bellinger’s asking value. MLB Commerce Rumors projected the previous NL MVP (who ranked eighth on our high 50 free brokers record) for a five-year, $140MM contract, as Boras is unquestionably seeking to lastly land the assured long-term deal that eluded Bellinger through the 2023-24 offseason.
Giants group chairman Greg Johnson has been overtly cautious over long-term contracts generally, significantly for pitchers. Bellinger being a place participant may imply the Giants could be extra open to signing him to an enormous contract, but the group already has some huge cash invested in Devers, Chapman, Lee, and Willy Adames via not less than the 2029 season.
For as many holes as San Francisco has in its lineup, beginning pitching is a extra obtrusive want, because the Giants have solely Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp lined up for rotation spots. If the Giants are really hesitant about heavy investments in beginning pitchers, they may look to handle their rotation wants through commerce, and maybe use any free agent {dollars} to signal a distinguished place participant (like Bellinger).
The Yankees have been the group most instantly linked to Bellinger’s providers, as New York was identified to be prioritizing a identified amount in Bellinger forward of different high targets like Kyle Tucker. The Mets, Angels, Blue Jays, and Phillies have additionally reportedly proven curiosity in Bellinger this winter, although Philadelphia might be a much less probably suitor now that Kyle Schwarber has re-signed.
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