Swiping free agent from Mets, Yankees a cheaper option for Phillies than Kyle Tucker

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to rebuild their outfield this offseason. Obviously Kyle Tucker is the top free agent target on the market, but he'll most likely be out of the Phillies' price range. A solid and more affordable option would be Cody Bellinger.

Signing Bellinger this offseason would mean stealing him out from under the New York Yankees and the New York Mets, a turn of events in which Phillies fans would gladly revel.

The Phillies adding either Tucker or Bellinger only becomes more likely if Kyle Schwarber doesn't re-sign. While it would be a dream for fans, the club won't re-sign Schwarber and also add one of the top free agent outfielders.

With all the talk about Schwarber and Tucker, it seems like Bellinger has been forgotten as a possible option for the Phillies. He shouldn't be overlooked, as he would make a solid offseason addition.

Cody Bellinger more affordable than Kyle Tucker as free agent option for Phillies' outfield

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projects Bellinger to get a six-year, $165 million contract ($27.5 million AAV). McDaniel expects Schwarber to sign a four-year, $128 million deal ($32 million AAV). He predicts Tucker's new contract to be for 11 years and $418 million ($38 million AAV).

There has been speculation that Bellinger is favored to re-sign with the Yankees or agree to a contract with their cross-town rivals, the Mets, who are expected to be heavily in on the 30-year-old.

The Yankees may be forced to spend more than they planned if they don't want to potentially lose another player to the Mets for a second consecutive offseason. Mets owner Steve Cohen signed Juan Soto to a mammoth contract following the outfielder's 2024 season with the Yankees. Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner has been more budget-conscious during his tenure in the role than his father, George, was.

If the Phillies can't re-sign Schwarber, they should pivot quickly and sign Bellinger away from the New York clubs. If they want to sign a top free agent to a deal that is much closer to the term and amount they were going to offer Schwarber, Bellinger is their guy. McDaniel's projection for Bellinger is for more years and money but less annually than Schwarber's projected contract.

Bellinger's 2024 4.9 fWAR with the Yankees was his highest since his career-best 7.8 during his MVP season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. His 29 home runs in 2025 were his highest since the 47 he compiled in his MVP year.

How much of a downgrade is Cody Bellinger from Kyle Tucker?

As one industry source noted to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Tucker and Bellinger's numbers aren’t that different, with Bellinger playing multiple positions well.

Bellinger played in more games this year, finishing with comparable offensive numbers. He had an .813 OPS with 98 RBIs in 152 games. Tucker posted an .841 OPS with 73 RBIs in 136 games. Bellinger is more versatile defensively and can play center field, left field and first base. Tucker has played the majority of his career in right field.

Feinsand notes that the key difference between the outfielders is that Bellinger's lows have been worse than Tucker's bad seasons. This could affect how front offices view Bellinger's value this winter.

The Phillies are undergoing changes in their outfield this winter and Bellinger represents an experienced option to consider who would be a core player. He has the most career experience playing in center field, although the Yankees played him more in left last year (85 games) compared to center (41 contests) or right (52 games).

Phillies manager Rob Thomson could use Bellinger as a designated hitter, play him defensively at any of the three outfield spots, or at first base if Bryce Harper gets injured or takes a turn as the designated hitter.

In terms of Bellinger and Tucker's projected contracts, comparing their stats and their defensive versatility, Bellinger would be as good an option as Tucker for the Phillies. Of course, this only matters if Schwarber signs with another organization.