ESPN's Buster Olney gives hope to Mets' chances of signing Cody Bellinger

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Billy Heyen
ESPN's Buster Olney gives hope to Mets' chances of signing Cody Bellinger image

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And then there was one.

Alex Bregman has signed. Kyle Tucker has signed. Bo Bichette has signed. Cody Bellinger is the last big free agent hitter remaining.

His versatility and slugging will only help one team out. And the New York Mets may still be in the picture.

The Mets just signed Bichette on Friday, which was a huge move, and might have some thinking that's the end of their work.

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But ESPN's Buster Olney has pointed out that Bellinger could still be in play.

"One rival evaluator notes how well Cody Bellinger would fit into the Mets' current roster," Olney wrote on X. "Plays all three OF spots plus 1B (giving another alternative to Polanco), fits the pre-winter aim of run prevention, plus depth in a top-heavy lineup. He's the last big money position player on the board. The Mets haven't been focused on him all winter, but then again, back in November, they probably never dreamed they pay a third baseman who's never played third $42 million in free agency."

Bellinger is coming off a great season with the New York Yankees. Mets fans will remember, of course, that last offseason they signed Juan Soto away from the Yanks.

Could history repeat itself?

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Reports have indicated Bellinger wants a seven-year contract and that the Yankees want to give him a five-year deal.

That puts the Mets in position to swoop in, if they're willing to dish out those extra years.

They aren't the only two teams in play, either, but they might be leading the running. 

The Mets could really put an exclamation point on their offseason if they were to end up with Bellinger, too.

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