The Phillies are eyeing Cody Bellinger as a potential addition this offseason, expanding the scope beyond the names already dominating chatter around Philadelphia. Much talk has focused on the team’s efforts to re-sign Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, with both veterans being strong possibilities to depart for new opportunities. In case either elects elsewhere, the Phillies have also been evaluating other high-profile free agents and trade targets, including Tatsuya Imai and Ketel Marte.
Now, Bellinger’s name enters the mix too. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Phillies have expressed interest in the former NL MVP, joining a group of clubs—Yankees, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Blue Jays—that have shown at least some level of curiosity about his services.
Re-signing Schwarber remains the Phillies’ top priority, so Bellinger could serve as a contingency plan if Schwarber moves on. While Bellinger does not hit with Schwarber’s raw power or the same consistent production, there are compelling reasons he could be a natural fit for Philly’s lineup.
A left-handed hitter, Bellinger enjoyed a strong 2025 season with the Yankees, posting a .272/.334/.480 line with 29 homers over 656 plate appearances. That performance convinced him to decline a $25 million option for 2026 and test free agency again in pursuit of a longer, nine-figure deal that has eluded him previously.
From a metrics standpoint, Bellinger posted a 125 wRC+ in 2025, which sits a notch below Schwarber’s 152 wRC+ during his 56-homer year. When looking at 2023–2025 collectively, Schwarber’s 135 wRC+ edges past Bellinger’s 123. Their styles diverge: Bellinger makes heavy, consistent contact and seldom strikes out, but doesn’t generate a lot of hard-hit balls. Schwarber, conversely, hits more hard contact yet also strikes out more often. Both handle left-handed pitching well, so there’s no obvious platoon concern, though Bellinger was notably stronger at Yankee Stadium than on the road in 2025.
Over that same 2023–2025 span, Bellinger holds a stronger fWAR (11.4) than Schwarber (9.1), a gap partly explained by Schwarber’s usual DH-or-strong-corner-outfield role and his defensive limitations. If Bellinger joins Philly, he could spell Bryce Harper at first base on the days Harper serves as DH. More regularly, Bellinger would likely play in the outfield, potentially right field if Nick Castellanos is moved or released. A corner-outfield spot suits Bellinger better than center field, though he could handle some center-field duties as a part-timer.
This marks the first time Philadelphia has been clearly connected to Bellinger’s market in actual reporting, though past rumors suggested other players ranked higher on the Phillies’ wishlist or crowded positions at first base, outfield, and designated-hitter roles.
In terms of the larger free-agent landscape, Bellinger sits just behind Schwarber on MLB Trade Rumors’ offseason top-50 list for 2025–26. The site projects Bellinger at five years and about $140 million, with Schwarber at five years and roughly $135 million—figures that are only projections but illustrate a similar market value for each player.
Even without a qualifying offer attached, Bellinger’s market appeal remains intact for Philadelphia. A qualifying-offer penalty would complicate a signing, especially since Philadelphia spent above the luxury-tax threshold in 2025. On the flip side, if one of Philly’s own free agents—Schwarber or Ranger Suarez—signs elsewhere, the Phillies could capture a compensatory pick after only the fourth round of the 2026 draft.
