Former MLB GM links Guardians to top-tier free agent fans have been begging for

Cody Bellinger has had quite an MLB career. He won Rookie of the Year with the Dodgers in 2017 and an MVP in 2019, but he struggled with injuries and inefficiency in 2021 and ‘22. He then went to the Cubs and had two strong seasons before being traded to the Yankees, where he put together a vintage season in 2025. 

Now he’s set to cash in on his strong showing, as he’s set to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Yankees and hit free agency for the second time in his career. And he should have plenty suitors in free agency considering his strong track record and positional versatility since he can play every outfield position along with first base. 

Although that strong profile would make him a strong fit on nearly every team across MLB, it’s like he was built in a lab for the Guardians, who have been searching for outfield help since the dawn of time. And at least one  key figure in baseball media feels the same way, as former Reds general manager Jim Bowden wrote a new story for The Athletic (subscription required) where he highlighted the Guardians as a potential fit for Bellinger. 

“Bellinger’s ability to play above-average defense at all three outfield positions and first base increases his free-agent worth, although it looks like he’s found a home in left field. He has been a perfect fit for the Yankees, where playing half his games at Yankee Stadium with the short porch in right helped him hit 29 home runs while slashing .272/.334/.480 (he had a .909 OPS at Yankee Stadium and a .715 OPS at every other park). I think he’ll opt out of his contract and try to get the Yankees to give him a longer deal,” Bowden wrote. 

He mentioned the Yankees, Mets, Astros, Padres, Royals, Angels and Mariners as fits for Bellinger alongside the Guardians. 

Jim Bowden mentions Guardians are potential fit for free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger

The obvious elephant in the room here is Bellinger’s price tag. The Guardians are a notably frugal organization (in case you haven’t heard), so it’s hard to imagine they’d break the bank for Bellinger, especially considering he’s tracking to get more than the three-year, $60 million contract Cleveland gave Edwin Encarnación in 2017. 

Bellinger finished 2025 with a .272/.334/.480 slashline with 29 home runs and 98 RBI across 152 games. He added a home run and four RBI in the postseason.

Bowden offered three contracts as comps for what Bellinger could get: George Springer’s six-year, $150 million contract, Teoscar Hernández’s three-year, $66 million contract and Brandon Nimmo’s eight-year, $162 million contract. 

The Guardians would likely be more willing to offer a shorter contract with a higher AAV, though it’s worth noting that they don’t have a ton of money tied up in their books long-term. 

But Cleveland being mentioned as a suitor for Bellinger is a breadcrumb that everyone should be paying attention to. While Bowden isn’t an insider in the same way that Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal are, he’s plugged into front offices across the league and usually doesn’t link a team to a suitor unless he’s heard something. 

As mentioned above, Bellinger would be the perfect fit for the Guardians. He could fill the hole in either center or right field while also being an option at first base behind Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus. The Guardians got a prime example of his talent in June when he mashed a two-run home run and robbed David Fry of a hit in right field. 

Bellinger ending up with the Guardians may be a pipe dream, but Bowden’s story provided a flicker of hope.