"Cody Bellinger is not that guy" - Ex-Marlins president rips free agent's alleged market value

Cody Bellinger enjoyed a strong 2025 season. Batting .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs, the outfielder played an important role in helping the New York Yankees qualify for the playoffs.

Soon after the campaign concluded, Bellinger opted out of the remainder of his contract to try his luck at securing an improved offer as a free agent. The slugger is now one of the most coveted players on the market, and reports state Bellinger's agent, Scott Boras, considers the two-time to be deserving of a deal which offers him an AAV in the range of $50 million.

On Wednesday, former Miami Marlins president David Samson rubbished those notions, via a video he uploaded to his YouTube channel.

"Cody Bellinger is absolutely delusional if he thinks he's a $50 million (AAV) player. He can't be," Samson said (Timestamp: 4:26). "Under any analysis. No matter what ridiculousness is fed by (Scott) Boras, no matter what his free-agent binder looks like selling Bellinger to all these teams. "There is no argument to be made anywhere that Bellinger is a $400 million dollar player. Say nothing of a $50 million player. I don't care about the deferrals, I don't care about any of it. He's just not that guy."

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Cody Bellinger may be about to seal a move to the New York Mets, per insider

On Tuesday, MLB Network Radio's Jim Duquette spoke about the moves he thinks the Mets may be planning in the offseason months to come. In terms of the maquee free agents, Duquette is of the opinion the organization might prioritize Cody Bellinger's acquisition.

"There's a lot of options right now on the free-agent market. I do think they are in on (Cody) Bellinger or (Kyle) Tucker, I don't think it's both," Duquette said (Timestamp: 0:20). "They're absolutely in on a starting pitcher of some kind, still to be determined what, I think it's going to be shorter term. Some more bullpen help. They are going to get moving, I can't really tell...I feel like it's Bellinger more than it is Tucker at this point, but that can change."

Cody Bellinger - Source: Getty

Having parted ways with important players such as Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz, the onus is well and truly on the Mets to sign some top quality talent.

As Juan Soto's sensational signing in 2024 made clear, if the Mets do decide Cody Bellinger is their man, owner Steve Cohen will likely not shy away from bringing out his checkbook.

Edited by Raghav Mehta