NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 30: Cody Bellinger #35 of the New York Yankees hits a single against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning of game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Shaun McAvoy

By Shaun McAvoy

Contributing Sports Writer

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The New York Yankees are expected to face some competition this offseason in the Cody Bellinger free agency sweepstakes.

After an exceptionally hot start to his career, which included being named an All-Star twice, winning NL MVP and NL Rookie of the Year, Bellinger struggled in his last three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being non-tendered in late 2022. Bellinger, 30, flourished in his first season with the Yankees, slashing .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and driving in 98 runs this season.

Now that Bellinger is set to hit free agency again, the New York Post's Jon Heyman suggested the Dodgers could pursue a reunion with the Yankees slugger.

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"Could Cody Bellinger wind up returning to the Dodgers? LA will be in the OF market, and he still has some fans there," Heyman wrote Wednesday. "Bellinger is said to have loved his time in LA, which included his greatest heights (an MVP) and only lows (two injury-wracked offensive seasons).

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: Cody Bellinger #35 of the New York Yankees hits a single against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning of game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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"Bellinger also enjoys being a Yankee, and they have to be considered an early favorite since they made him a priority. All he said when asked in-season was that he wants to play for a winner."

The Yankees are interested in bringing Bellinger back this offseason, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the 30-year-old star will stay in New York. The Dodgers boasted one of the highest payrolls in the MLB in 2024, yet that didn't stop them from going out and signing star players like Blake Snell and Rōki Sasaki.

The Dodgers could use another quality outfielder in their pursuit of winning a third-straight World Series, and a reunion with Bellinger would instantly make them a better team for next season.

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