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By Valentina Martinez
Contributing Sports Writer
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The New York Yankees want Cody Bellinger back — badly. But with other teams in the market for an outfielder, the free agent could very well sign a deal elsewhere.
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As the Winter Meetings kicked off in Orlando, Florida. Monday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone sent a clear message to Bellinger.
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"Obviously, what Cody brought to us last year in so many ways, who he was in the room, his performance between the lines on both sides of the ball, his athleticism, his versatility, who wouldn't want a player like that? He's earned the right now to get to this point of his career, of free agency, as still a relatively young man. We'll see what happens. We'll see how it shakes out. As far as the player and the person, he's a good one," Boone told reporters.
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The Yankees have made re-signing Bellinger their top priority this winter, and the outfielder is projected to sign with a big market team. However, that report indicates National League teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are also in on the 30-year-old.
Bellinger spent the first six seasons of his career with the Dodgers, earning All-Star honors in 2017 and 2019. He earned the 2019 NL MVP in Los Angeles, accumulating an 8.7 bWAR that season. Flash forward to 2025, the outfielder took advantage of Yankee Stadium's short porch with a .909 OPS at home.
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Bellinger's agent, Scott Boras, said the outfielder would welcome a return to LA, but the Yankees are still considered a favorite to land the former MVP.
The Winter Meetings are expected to be as crazy as ever, and the Yankees' financial goals for the offseason have also called into question how far the storied franchise will go to bring back Bellinger.
It's evident, however, Boone has nothing but respect for the outfielder and that speaks volumes to Bellinger's impact in just a single season with the Bronx Bombers.
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