It’s been a pretty quiet offseason so far in the Bay Area, though the Giants have at least been linked to several notable trade candidates and free agents. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser adds another big name to the list, writing that the Giants “have checked in on” Cody Bellinger.
While Bellinger’s ability to play first base probably wouldn’t be a factor for a team with Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge lined up for first base/DH duty, Bellinger would slot perfectly into the Giants’ vacancy in right field. San Francisco could also slide Bellinger into left field or center field on occasion, depending on how Heliot Ramos or Jung Hoo Lee are deployed. Bellinger is more of a serviceable center field candidate than a true regular, but he is a strong defender in the corners — his work as a left fielder and right fielder for the Yankees in 2025 earned +15 Defensive Runs Saved and +6 Outs Above Average.
Bellinger’s bat would also be a nice fit in the Giants’ lineup, as the 30-year-old is coming off a 125 wRC+ season (29 home runs, .272/.334/.480 in 656 plate appearances) in New York. Bellinger hit far better at Yankee Stadium than he did on the road, which could be a concern for the Giants if Bellinger was playing his home games at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park. On the plus side, the left-handed hitting Bellinger hits both right-handed and left-hand pitchers well, and he has been one of the harder batters in the sport to strike out over the last three seasons.
The Giants have been linked to Bellinger a couple of times during his past forays into free agency, though that was back when Farhan Zaidi was in charge of San Francisco’s front office. Current president of baseball operations Buster Posey was still on the team’s board of directors at the time, and of course Posey has plenty of on-field experience in facing off against Bellinger back during Bellinger’s days as a staple of the Dodgers lineup. Posey has also done business with another Scott Boras client in Matt Chapman, as Posey was instrumental in getting Chapman’s extension finalized late in the 2024 season.
It is possible the Giants’ call on Bellinger might have been routine due diligence, or just to test the waters to gauge Bellinger’s interest in coming to San Francisco. The larger question, of course, is whether or not the Giants are willing to meet Bellinger’s asking price. MLB Trade Rumors projected the former NL MVP (who ranked eighth on our top 50 free agents list) for a five-year, $140MM contract, as Boras is surely looking to finally land the guaranteed long-term deal that eluded Bellinger during the 2023-24 offseason.
Giants team chairman Greg Johnson has been openly wary over long-term contracts in general, particularly for pitchers. Bellinger being a position player might mean the Giants would be more open to signing him to a big contract, yet the team already has a lot of money invested in Devers, Chapman, Lee, and Willy Adames through at least the 2029 season.
For as many holes as San Francisco has in its lineup, starting pitching is a more glaring need, as the Giants have only Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp lined up for rotation spots. If the Giants are truly hesitant about heavy investments in starting pitchers, they could look to address their rotation needs via trade, and perhaps use any free agent dollars to sign a prominent position player (like Bellinger).
The Yankees have been the team most directly linked to Bellinger’s services, as New York was known to be prioritizing a known quantity in Bellinger ahead of other top targets like Kyle Tucker. The Mets, Angels, Blue Jays, and Phillies have also reportedly shown interest in Bellinger this winter, though Philadelphia is probably a less likely suitor now that Kyle Schwarber has re-signed.
Bro they’re showing interest in everyone. It’s like a 7th grade crush
Does anyone what to goto SF? Even Judge didn’t want to go back home
Have you seen Linden ?
Drive thru but don’t blink cuz you’ll miss it.
That’s not true, the Yanks drafted that kid and he was comfortable there. Judge did say he was close to coming to the bay.
Judge was a west coast Red Sox fan lol. Not a Giants fan so I’m not sure how much of a difference the Giants would have made and in terms of just living on the west coast, maybe he didn’t like the weather? Maybe the family moved? Maybe they wouldn’t be near him. NY has become his home and the Yankees are expected to be a contender every year. … to say “even judge didn’t want to go there” makes it seem like if anyone would want to, it’d definetly be him, and we just don’t know that for certain
No 123redsox…Aaron Judge was a big San Francisco Giants fan as a kid growing up in Northern California. His favorite player was the Giants’ shortstop Rich Aurilia.
@123
I was today’s year old when I first heard anyone say Judge was a Red Sox fan growing up. I’m pretty sure that was never said. I did hear Giants tho.
Balk: But none of that matters now.
That’s not the point. I was explaining to 123redsox that Judge was a Giants fan and not a Sox fan.
Balk: But it doesn’t matter now. He’s a professional, and it obviously didn’t affect his decision on where to sign.
You’re saying it doesn’t matter if a person is saying Judge was a Red Sox fan when in fact he was a Giants fan growing up? I’m not saying this is going to change the outcome he’s obviously a Yankee, I’m replying to a false statement. Period
It doesn’t matter to me. But you do you.
Lots of players are fans of teams they don’t play for. The Seager brothers were diehard Yankees fans and idolized Jeter when they were kids, but they only ever played for west coast teams.
So you’re ok with someone saying you’re a Dodger fan, when you not? Lol!
Jarred Kelenic’s Beer Can: Corey plays for the Rangers. Not a west coast team.
Balk: If it’s just some rando on the internet like one of us here, who cares?
Some people like to get things right. Bad knowledge is bad knowledge.
But which team someone supports is a matter of opinion, not public record. It’s nothing to be anal retentive about.
What? I feel like I’m arguing with a dead squirrel. If someone supports a team publicly, it is on record. Judge was a Giants fan. Does it matter now that he plays for the Yankees? No. I think you’re being anal about it! Anyways, this is going nowhere and it’s cool either way. Do you.
Whatever you say, jefe.
San Francisco and its affluent suburbs are a wonderful place to live if you have the money.
However, SF is pretty far behind the Dodgers in terms of overall talent. At least right now, I think they are behind San Diego as well.
But most players are largely deciding based on the dollar amount of the offer. I do feel like Bellinger’s batting stats would go down with SF. I think he is much more likely to stay in New York.
My prediction is four years $120 million to Yankees. (30-30-30-30) No opt outs. Or four years $110 million with opt outs after years two and three. (30-30-25-25)
My prediction is 4-years, $140 million from the Toronto Blue Jays…!!! I say the Jays stop waiting for Kyle Tucker and direct their efforts towards Bellinger. I’m sure that Bellinger, like the rest of the Yankees, would like to eventually advance to the World Series, and Toronto will be the only team representing the American League for the foreseeable future !!!
I think he will top Alonso’s contract, as there are more suitors.
Those “affluent suburbs” are nestled between some of the worst crime and drug scene in America….walking a dog is dangerous being careful not to step in the poop while worrying about those without coming for what you have and willing to take it at all costs…living in an extreme bubble may not appeal to even the richest of athletes…
Adames signed here. Chapman resigned. Plenty of players have signed here my child.
Wow that didn’t take long. Cody would be nuts to go to Frisco, instead of the Mets, Yankees, or the Dodgers. At least he’d get a chance to play with the talented Arson Judge though-Jon Heyman
replying with both of your accounts was overkill
Rhandome, Agreed. Zero would have been more than enough!
Would be shocked if Cody ended up anywhere besides the Yanks. Drives the leverage down if nobody else is interested, so probably fiction.
Good try though.
99
Bellinger would be “nuts” not to take the first nine figure contract that he is offered.
Frisco is a city in Texas. Nobody that I know from San Francisco calls it “Frisco” for short.
I called it “Frisco”, for short but not often, usually the “Bay”. Worked there for years. Never crazy enough to live there though! Ha
No one says frisco.if you worked here you’d know that.
I just said I’ve used frisco but not often, what’s your point? You don’t speak for everyone. I worked on Treasure Island, for the Coast Guard, and worked off Buchanan street for the USDA. Maybe natives didn’t but people in general did, my friends I worked with did.
Thank god I don’t live there or work there then, with all those heavy taxes. Easy pass for me. Thank you. So Frisco it is, as is.
I hope you don’t live in New York and say that? Lol! Taxes in New York are crazy too. I do agree though, Belli is a better player in a smaller park but who isn’t?
Why would anyone want to be a Yankee in today’s world? Thats actually embarrassing. It’s why Soto couldn’t wait to get out
“Frisco” 🤦♂️
I probably was never told not to say that! Haha
Otis Redding says “Frisco” in The Dock of the Bay. Good enough for me.
Haha
Lol doesn’t actually matter, just sounds funny after growing up in the city. Luckily left in ‘91.
Same, left in 2003.
Everybody is interested in everybody until you get to the cash register and the price scanner gives you the total.
Mike
Exactly
Yeah basically I have a “serious interest” in a triple with cheese and heavy bacon later on. The point is, it’s not likely happening. So why even talk about it or bring it up.
I’m not interested in him.
Giants are better off adding a RH bat to the lineup and shouldn’t be paying Bellinger’s price—money needs to be spent elsewhere.
I’d be cool with signing him, but not at 4-5 years. Why RH? Just curious, since there’s Adames, Chapman, Ramos, and Schmitt. I’m blanking on other LH besides Lee and Devers,
That’s nice
Old York,
Probably for the best. He’s married.
🙂
That joke probably went over Old Fork’s head.
@Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Why you gotta be mean? I thought the internet was supposed to bring us all together with love and peace?
You know I mean it in all kindness and frivolity.
@Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Deep down inside me, I know you’re a great guy. Merry Christmas and I wish you and your Mariners the best in the New Year!
@Another Dodgers Fan
With kids nowadays, I wouldn’t be surprised they all have a second kinky partner in the shadows that they don’t want others to know about.
One in every port, so to speak?
Brandy, you’re a fine girl…
Why not? He’s a good player and y’all could use a few more of those.
オラクルパークのベリンジャーは相性最悪すぎるだろ
同意する
もちろん. Mahalo!
E=MC2
Aloha Uncle, lol! I was replying back to Pirates Curry and agreeing with him, part of my heritage is Japanese. BTW I just made a nice batch of Japanese chicken curry 🍛 and enjoyed it over hot rice 🍚! Is great during these cold winter days!
I sure hope our Cubs sign Imai-san and Jed can let bregman as well as tucker go! Beef up our pitching! Hope it’s not to cold/too much snow out your way! Mahalo
Its ² not 2
Love chicken and jasmine rice
Also sausage and jasmine rice
My computer doesn’t do that. Come to think of it, I should have copied and pasted it. Oh well.
You highlight it and press Ctrl and shift
草
His numbers will plummet playing in the NL west compared to the AL East!
Only a sith deals in absolutes
Do mean at home in SF compared to Yankee Stadium? Schedules being balanced, the division the team you play for matters little.
Especially now w the balanced schedule. It’s not like the 90s when you’d play a division rival 30 times and could go years without seeing a team in another division. Nowadays you play a rando squad in another league/division/time zone more than you do your sworn and ancient rivals. Bravo, Bud!
The Levels of Interest:
I. “Have expressed interest”: Pure filler. The team likely was never interested and if they were they aren’t anymore. Comes from the agent to drum up buzz.
II. “Are interested” or “In contact”: Likely coming from the team, trying to let its fans know it is busy. Probably means they recently talked to the agent but haven’t exchanged numbers or anything.
III. “Working on a deal”: The 50/50 stage. May result in a deal, may not. If it’s not real, the team (or the player) will quickly refute. Probably from the player side.
IV. “Closing in on a deal”: 75/25 stage. This is when the good reporters start digging in and finding out what’s up. Usually not leaked but found out by the reporter.
V. “Intends to sign:”: The only one that means anything.
What’s the deal with the Roman numerals
They’re easier to carve.
Some of us went to college
This helps provide clarity to all these “rumors”, thank you.
I agree with this breakdown which when applied to CLE’s pursuit of a position player doesn’t even register as a I. Giants were probably checking in to see if his market collapsed yet.
He would defintely help that abysmal lineup.
You seem sad. Hope things get better for you.
Question is… Is this real or like the article said SF doing due diligence? One would have to think this is possibly Boras putting this out there to drive interest in bellinger now that Schwarber and Alonso are off the board. If SF really dives into talks im sure that will wake up the Yankees and Mets…
Great. Where’s your evidence?
This team still seems like kind of a mess.
Rafael Devers says a move to San Francisco won’t hurt your numbers at all.
That bat will not age well there 🤣
This seems pretty unlikely to happen.
The Giants always “show interest” in big mame free agent hitters. When was the last time they signed one (and don’t say that punch and judy hitting shortstop)?
Judy hit 30 bombs last year.
Did you ?
That punch and judy hit….. shoot
@ draker
I don’t think you know what ‘Punch and Judy hitter’ means.
It’s a soft hitter who hits slap singles and the like (think Luis Arráez)
Adames hit 30+ homers in 3 of the last 4 seasons. While he may not have Aaron Judge level power (how many do?) he is, nevertheless, the antithesis of a Punch and Judy hitter.
One thing that is certain. Bellinger is getting paid well this off-season.
Technically jobless at the moment, so not yet.
“Giants team chairman Greg Johnson has been openly wary over long-term contracts”? Huh? Chapman is signed through 2030, Devers through 2033; Jung Hoo Lee through 2029; and Adames through 2031. I can’t imagine what the Giants’ payroll woould look like if he liked long-term contracts.
He has been openly wary starting this offseason and is wary precisely because the team has already committed to so many long term deals. I guess he has hit his limit (or wants agents to think he’s hit his limit so that he could use it as a bargaining tool).
It’s more about long-term deals for pitchers, not so much deals for position players. Here’s a quote from what he actually said:
““We’re in need of one, possibly two [starting pitchers],” Johnson told Slusser. “We’ve got a lot of options in the organization and hopefully somebody emerges, but I’m not sure you can count on that at this point, and it’d be nice for some of those younger arms to get another year of experience in Triple-A as well. As Buster has said, I think we’re hesitant about any pitcher on long-term deals when we have a young core sitting there.””
Greg Johnson, what experience does he have running a baseball team. None !!! He playing with daddy’s money. He never earned it.
If daddy didn’t have a lot of money, what would he be doing ??
Not being chairman of a baseball team.
What Johnson knows about baseball is irrelevant. He controls the purse strings which is why what he says about spending is important. I’d add that Johnson probably has as much experience running a baseball team as any other billionaire owner.
What’s important with an owner is how much they’re willing to let the PBO/GM spend, and how willing they are to keep their nose out of the baseball side of things, and not meddle. In that regard Johnson is a better owner than most, since many aren’t willing to spend, and he gives Posey the necessary autonomy.
Not sure what you’re complaining about. Johnson had to approve the Adames contract, the Chapman extension, and taking on Devers’ salary in the trade for him. A lot of fans of other teams would love to have Johnson as the owner of their team
What else is new?. Now will they actually sign him is the case😂
It does sound like the Giants are interested in Donovan from St. Louis and Ketel Marte from AZ from what I am hearing. I guess with Schmidt being unavailable for the start of the 26 season I guess the Giants are inquiring about availability or maybe availability. I wondering if the D’Backs did make a deal would they want Eldridge in return, plus a couple of prospects. So signing Bellinger? they could put him at first, Devers as the DH, Marte at 2nd to go along with Chapman at 3rd and Adames at SS, not a bad infield and part of a pretty could lineup.
I’m hoping this is just due diligence, with Boras using that to market Bellinger. There’s no way Bellinger posts similar numbers at Oracle that he did in Yankee Stadium.
I think if the Giants win the bidding war for Bellinger, it’d be a scenario where they simply outbid everybody, plain and simple.
Yankees are offering 5 years/$160M? Mets are offering 6 years/$180M? Etc.
Giants win with 7 years/$222.25M or something.
They’d need to outbid everybody by an extra year or two and an extra couple million a year beyond what anybody else’s limit would be.
That’s if the interest is anything beyond due diligence, which I think it is. Posey can’t think he’d put up Yankee Stadium numbers at Oracle.
I think they like his defense and that his new line drive approach will lead to 20-25 HRs and a lot of doubles. That would certainly age better than trying to pull everything into the cove.
I agree. No doubt they love his glove. I love his glove. But he’s worth more to the Yanks, because his bat plays so much better there. Statcast has his expected HRs in Yankee Stadium at 33 while it’s 21 at Oracle. I just don’t see the Giants out-bidding the Yankees with that offensive disparity because he’s a great defender.
Left handed right fielder ?
Posey is trying to show players that they want to come to San Francisco with the Chapman extension, the Adames signing, and the Devers trade. Problem is it’s starting pitching and bullpen help (and maybe a Second Baseman) that the Giants need more than Bellinger at the moment
Hasn’t been a problem with pitchers wanting to play at Oracle. It’s a great park for them, however SFG rarely will go long term on any FA arms. I think it’s a good strategy myself.
Because, that contract, and because, he’s toast.
Bellinger is a nice player, but no thank you for the Giants playing in Oracle. Just look at his numbers playing away from yankee stadium last year, and Oracle is like the anti-Yankee stadium for LH hitters.
2025 OPS Yankee Stadium 337 PA .909
2025 OPS other 319 PA .715
Sign bellinger trade jh lee.
I don’t think Giants actually have interest in Bellinger, I would assume Bellinger will sign with whatever team gives him 5-6 years and the AAV of what he was earning with the Cubs/Yankees the past two years of $27.5m which I do not see the Giants doing. Giants need another quality SP or two and a leadoff hitter who get on base to set the table for the rest of hitters they’re already locked into paying for the rest of the 2020s.
If the Angels had any intent to trade Trout there would be plenty of serious discussions about it. But the the Angels being willing to trade Trout has to happen first before anyone is going to discuss it, and they’re not. And even if that meddlesome owner did want to trade Trout, he’s repeatedly said he wouldn’t waive the NTC.
Does a team “showing interest” in a player mean anything more than someone, perhaps in the media, starting a rumor?
Seems like a rhetorical question but as a Pirates fan, yes, it is just “someone” starting rumors to make people think they are trying.
I attended the 1992 winter meetings in Louisville, trying to get a job in the industry.
I didn’t succeed with that, but I learned how easy it is to start rumors, especially for people in the media.
I’m pretty sure Rum Bunter starts all the Pirates Rumors. If Pirates signed/traded for everyone they suggested, they would have a payroll over $200 M every year
This site is literally called MLB trade rumors. It’s literally all we care about
Big Red Machine: “We” as in you work on or help run the site? Or “we” as in you presume to speak for people other than yourself?
I know you don’t think you’re speaking for me.
Better sign him quick before Pirates drive up the price lol