Cody Bellinger free agent update includes Yankees among three finalists

Matt Sullivan

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Cody Bellinger free agent update includes Yankees among three finalists image

The offseason has been a slow one in Major League Baseball, but after the flurry of moves last week, with Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Ranger Suarez, Alex Bregman, and others agreeing to deals, the market has begun to move.

One of the players likely on the cusp of a free-agent decision is Cody Bellinger. The New York Yankees have been trying to bring him back and have a strong $160 million offer on the table.

Steve Phillips on MLB Network revealed that Bellinger has three teams he's likely narrowed down his free agency to. The Yankees are one of those teams, while the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays are also seemingly finalists for Bellinger this offseason.

MLB insider reveals 3 finalists for Cody Bellinger

"We know the Yankees are in at five years, $160 million with opt-outs after years two and three. The Mets sound like their preference is the short-term deal... And then you wonder the Blue Jays... Those are likely the three teams from which he's deciding."

Bellinger might be deciding his future soon, according to Jim Bowden's report that he's mulling his options at the moment and expected to make a decision "shortly."

With a decision seemingly right around the corner, the Yankees, Mets, and Blue Jays are the most likely landing spots for the former Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder.

The Yankees' offer is well known, at $160 million over five years with opt-outs after the second and third seasons. But the offers from the Mets and Blue Jays are more uncertain.

More: Mets get bad news on free-agent Cody Bellinger amid strong Yankees offer

Bellinger likely has three different offers, with the Yankees being the middle-ground. The Mets are likely to make a short-term, high AAV offer for Bellinger, similar to what Bo Bichette got from the Mets.

The Blue Jays are more likely to go long-term, potentially going to the seven years that Bellinger is seeking, at a smaller AAV than the other two clubs are offering.

All three teams have a strong chance to add Bellinger this offseason, but the Yankees, with the familiarity and a strong offer on the table, seem to have a good chance to come out on top of these three finalists for Bellinger this offseason.

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