Getty With Bo Bichette out, could Cody Bellinger be the right choice? The Toronto Blue Jays could definitely use a player like Cody Bellinger in their lineup. Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette were likely top targets for Toronto. Even though they missed out on both, the Blue Jays are still looking to bring a powerful bat into their roster. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets moved quickly to sign Tucker and Bichette, respectively, leaving Toronto behind. There is potential for finding a replacement for Bichette down the road, but that doesn’t address the immediate need for a strong hitter. This is why recent updates about Bellinger’s contract situation sound encouraging to Blue Jays fans. It seems that Bellinger’s agent might be waiting for Toronto to make a more appealing offer.
Yankees’ Proposal to Cody Bellinger is Positive News For Blue Jays Supporters
As per one analyst, the New York Yankees aren’t changing their stance on their offer to Bellinger. “Hearing Yankees unfazed by the Dodgers’ Tucker contract re: Bellinger and are not budging on their reported 5 year/$155-160 offer for him,” Bill Madden of New York Daily News wrote on social media on January 16, 2026. “According to one source: They will not engage in a bidding war for him. They’re at where they’re at, and that’s not changing.” The Yankees seem determined in their negotiations with Bellinger. They are sticking with their five-year proposal and won’t make any adjustments. This is where the Blue Jays could step in. After making Tucker an offer for a 10-year deal, it seems reasonable that they would also be open to giving Bellinger what he desires: a seven-year agreement.Bellinger’s Team Hoping For ‘One Unwise Owner’
Madden also mentioned Scott Boras, who represents Bellinger, and how they are hoping to find “one dumb owner,” likely someone willing to boost their offer significantly. “Boras is still hoping to find One Dumb Owner to top that in both years and AAV, but if one does, the Yankees are prepared to move on,” Madden wrote on January 17th, 2026. “The Yankees insist the Tucker signing has no bearing on their negotiations with Scott Boras on Bellinger. No doubt Boras will attempt to use the $60 million AAV as the new baseline.” “But, the Yankees long ago determined five years at $31 million to $32 million per year was a more-than-fair value offer for the 30-year-old Bellinger.” If the Yankees’ proposal stands at $155 million over five years, that’s an average of $31 million annually. There’s no reason why the Blue Jays couldn’t propose $32 million over seven years instead-totaling around $224 million.Cody Bellinger Compared To Kyle Tucker
<p Even though one former MLB GM referred to Bellinger as “Kyle Tucker light,” stats tell another story. Tucker recorded 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, and made 133 hits while stealing bases 25 times with a batting average of.266. On the other hand, Bellinger hit 29 home runs with 98 RBIs from his total of 160 hits while adding in 13 stolen bases and boasting a.272 batting average.</PBeyond stolen bases alone, Bblingler clearly had better overall performance than Tucker last season.
In total over four seasons, Blingler played558 gamesand produced92 home runs341RBIs56stolenbasesand556hits. On contrast, Tucker played521gameswith104home runs341RBIs91stolenbasesand516hitsduringthe sameperiod.Despite having35fewer gamesplayedthan Blingleroverfouryears, Tuckerachievedmorehomersnearlydoubleinstealssame RBIs.
Soalthough Blingleroutperformed Tuckerin2025, Tuckercertainlyhasbeen superioroffensivelyoverall. Becauseofthis, noteamshouldgettrickedintogiving Blinglersimilaramountthat Tuckergotforhisservices.
Bichette’s Exit Can Be Beneficial
The Blue Jays did sign several international free-agent shortstops; however, a small165lb prospect won’t replace Bichette’simpact this season or even after two seasons have passed.This winter, Bichettewasamongthe best hittersavailable. Despitehimsigningwiththe Mets, itstillmightbepossibleforhimto returnto Toronto.
His$126millioncontractincludesopt-outsafteryearsonelandtwo. In2027, the Blue Jayswillhave George Springerceasingfromtheircontracts.
If Bichettereallyshinesin2026, heshouldbeconsideredthemostvaluablefreeagentifhedecidesontheopt-outoption. Withnootheroptionsleftopen, to Torontocouldgoall-inbringingbacktheirhomegrownstarbackagain. Whileitdoesn’tlookgreatforthisseason, mightjustnotbebeyondpossibilitythatareunioncouldoccuragain.. Nowthat Tuckerisoffthelist, Belingermakesperfectsenseasnextbestchoice. Tooffersevenyearsseemsreasonablebutpayinghim Tuckersnew AVisn’tsmartplay. Alsoifthe Bichettepicksupanothercontract opt-outoptionlateron Torontowillalwayshavechancebringingtheirfanfavoritebackintheprimeoftheircareer. That all sounds like great newsto me.
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