MLB Insider Buzz: Cody Bellinger’s asking price scaring teams off while Nolan Arenado emerges as Angels ‘possibility’

All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger remains one of the most coveted free agents remaining this offseason, despite strong links of a reunion with the New York Yankees.

Bellinger is coming off a strong 2025 season with the Yankees and is seeking a long-term contract expected to be worth around $180 million over six years.

However, according to MLB Insider Jack Curry, teams have not been close to meeting Bellinger's contract demands in the offseason so far.

“No one has come close, I don’t think, to the demands that are ongoing for Bellinger,” Curry said.

According to Yes Network analyst Michael Kay, Bellinger's agent Scott Boras is waiting for All-Star slugger Kyle Tucker to sign for a team in free agency to evaluate his market.

“Boras does not represent Kyle Tucker,” Michael Kay said. “Boras wants to see what Tucker gets, and then he can slot in Bellinger after that. Until Tucker establishes a market, I think it is going to be slow.”

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals, who are reportedly looking to part ways with a few players in the offseason, are seemingly ready to ship veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado.

The Los Angeles Angels have emerged as a surprise candidate for the veteran infielder, per MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. However, a trade for Arenado will be a "possibility" only after the Angels reach a buyout agreement with Anthony Rendon for his final contract year.

Cody Bellinger's agent rubbishes contract projection from MLB insider

Earlier this week, MLB insider Barry Bloom reported that Cody Bellinger was seeking a contract worth around $400 million. However, the MLB insider retracted his earlier report after Bellinger's agent Scott Boras reached out to him to dismiss those numbers.

“Scott Boras said my report about Bellinger asking for $400m was ‘nonsense’ and asked me to retract it,” Bloom wrote on X. “In immense respect to him and our decades-long relationship, and despite my very credible source, consider it retracted. He didn’t give me a replacement figure.”

The Yankees have been considered one of the favorites all offseason to land Bellinger. However, they are facing competition from crosstown rivals, the New York Mets and Bellinger's former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash