MLB insider calls Phillies a fit for former MVP free agent outfielder

With the Philadelphia Phillies looking to revamp their roster for 2025 this offseason, one area that they will need to improve on is offensive production from their outfield, in particular from their left and center fielder positions. After all, the Phillies ranked in the bottom third of the league in both positions in home runs and RBIs in 2024.

Don’t look now, but they may have a potential savior on the way. MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently compiled a list of the top MLB free agents and their potential landing spots this offseason (subscription required). Among them, the Phillies were deemed a fit for former NL MVP outfielder Cody Bellinger. 

MLB insider calls Phillies a fit for former MVP free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger

In terms of his offensive potential, the two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner has averaged over 30 home runs and 90 RBI per season over a 162-game schedule for his MLB career. Not only that, Bellinger is capable of providing solid defense in the outfield as a former Gold Glove winner, along with the added positional flexibility to play at first base as well. In fact, he was even previously linked to the Phillies last offseason as a sleeper free agent that they could land.

However, the main caveat that remains is that Bellinger needs to opt out of his current three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. If he does, Bowden believes that he still won’t get the long-term deal that he was in search of last offseason because his production has varied dramatically in recent years.

Aside from his revitalized 2023 season, in which he batted .307 with 95 runs scored, 26 home runs and 97 RBI, Bellinger actually had not hit more than .266, scored more than 72 runs, hit more than 19 home runs or driven in more than 78 runs for four of the past five seasons. 

If the Phillies do intend to pursue the 29-year-old star, they better hope that he will resemble his 2023 form for maximal value. But even in a down year for Bellinger, there’s no doubt that the Phillies can expect to get greater offensive output from him than they would from Johan Rojas or even Brandon Marsh in an average season.

So, it will come down to if they can land former MVP at the right term and price.

Bowden predicts that Bellinger will likely receive a contract with a four-year term worth $112 million, or $28 million AAV. Those numbers would put him close in line with players such as George Springer and Paul Goldschmidt. That would make the deal about right given that he should still have a few good years left in him compared to those other two.

However, Bowden also included eight other MLB teams that could be fits for Bellinger this offseason, meaning that he won’t come easy for the Phillies.

With Juan Soto likely a long shot for the Phillies, especially after president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski's recent comments, perhaps they should just focus their attention on the more feasible option in Bellinger to finally solve their outfield situation.

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