Following a strong bounce-back performance with the New York Yankees in 2025, free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger figures to land a lucrative contract this off-season and is already reportedly drawing interest from several potential suitors, including the Toronto Blue Jays.

Bellinger, whose $25-million player option for next season was declined by the Yankees organization earlier this month, has reached free agency in three of the last four off-seasons — and has been linked to Toronto in each of those instances. This franchise also reportedly expressed interest in the 2019 NL MVP winner as a trade destination before he was ultimately dealt to the Bronx Bombers last winter.

This off-season, the rumour mill has once again linked the two parties together, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan reporting the Blue Jays’ interest in Bellinger as a possible alternative to marquee free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker. However, they aren’t the only club monitoring the 30-year-old slugger’s market.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom Bellinger spent six seasons from 2017-22 before being non-tendered, are said to be open to exploring a potential reunion with the left-handed-hitting All-Star, according to Passan, as are the Yankees.

In need of an impact centre-fielder, the cross-town Angels have also checked in on Bellinger’s market, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports. Los Angeles has already subtracted from its outfield depth this off-season, making a one-for-one swap involving Taylor Ward and right-handed starter Grayson Rodriguez with the Baltimore Orioles.

Another notable contender appears to have emerged in the Cody Bellinger sweepstakes (as well as the Kyle Tucker one, too): the high-rolling Mets, who, after sending Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for former Blue Jay Marcus Semien in Sunday’s blockbuster trade, have created a massive hole in their outfield for next season.

Any one of these potential suitors would benefit from adding Bellinger — a Scott Boras client — to their 2026 plans, especially after he blasted 29 home runs — his most since ’19 — and drove in 98, while slashing .272/.334/.480 with a 125 wRC+ (100 league average) in 152 games last season. He also accounted for 4.9 fWAR, the second-most of his career — trailing only his MVP-winning 7.8 rating.

For the Blue Jays, whose projected ’26 outfield already features Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, Anthony Santander, Addison Barger and Davis Schneider (also plays second base), their interest in Bellinger — as well as Tucker — is likely solely contingent on whether or not fellow free agent Bo Bichette re-signs this winter.