D-backs named fit for Yankees star outfielder

The Arizona Diamondbacks have needs outside of the pitching staff, and a former NL MVP winner and current New York Yankee could fit that description.

Veteran outfielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger could be a free agent after this season. He was traded from the Cubs to the Yankees after the 2024 season, and now only has a player option for 2026 – which is expected to be declined after a successful campaign.

If Bellinger decides to test his market, he’ll likely have quite a few suitors, especially considering the excellent year he had in the Bronx.

A recent article from Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller linked Arizona to Bellinger as a “Dark Horse” destination.

“Calling Arizona a dark horse to sign one of the best outfield players on the market may be a bit much. They could use one and have also shown a radically increased willingness to spend money over the past two years,” Miller wrote.

“If they spend this type of coin, however, it is much more likely to fix the pitching staff than improve an already solid lineup.”

Bellinger posted excellent numbers in 2025 – his best since 2023 and second-best since his 2019 MVP season. He slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, posted an OPS of .813 and was worth five wins above replacement.

Bellinger is also a good defender. He was worth +11 defensive runs saved (per baseball reference), +9 fielding execution value, and +7 troughs (both via Statcast).

Obviously, Bellinger is an extremely desirable target, but would it make sense for the D-backs to pursue him?

On paper, Bellinger actually meets a pair of needs. Arizona needs an impactful power outfielder who isn’t Corbin Carroll (or the injured Lourdes Gurriel Jr.). They also need a first baseman.

Bellinger has played a lot of first base in his career, but the defensive numbers aren’t as positive as his recovery from the outfield. Less than a third of his career defensive innings came at first base.

The other problem is that Bellinger is a left-handed bat. Arizona already has a field full of left-handed hitters and could use a right-handed power bat.

The biggest deterrent, however, is the most obvious. Bellinger’s price will be extremely high and the D-backs are looking to reduce Payroll in 2026. Spotrac projects a six-year contract worth north of $180 million, which seems very unlikely to work for Arizona.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t money available for GM Mike Hazen to spend, but Miller’s point about pitching stands.

If Arizona were to spend money at the All-Star level, it will likely be directed toward the pitching staff – although they may look to use the trade market to obtain weapons, leaving the remaining payroll open for offensive (and defensive) upgrades.