Could the Rangers Really Make a Run at Cody Bellinger? Here’s Why It’s Tempting – and How It Could Work

Free agency is officially underway in Major League Baseball, and the Texas Rangers – fresh off a season where expectations were sky-high – are entering the offseason with a clear directive: get younger and cut payroll. That’s not speculation. That’s coming straight from Chris Young, the team’s president of baseball operations.

And yet, here come the rumors.

One prominent outlet has linked the Rangers to Cody Bellinger – a top-10 free agent on the market – and projected him to land a five-year, $140 million deal. That’s $28 million per year for a player who, not too long ago, looked like he might be out of the league entirely.

So how does that square with a team trying to trim its financial footprint? On the surface, it doesn’t.

But when you dig into the numbers and the fit, the idea starts to make a little more sense – even if it would take some serious maneuvering to pull off.

Why Bellinger?

Let’s start with the obvious: Bellinger’s bat is back. After being non-tendered by the Dodgers following a brutal 2022 campaign – where he hit just .210 with a .265 OBP and a .389 slugging percentage – the former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP has completely turned things around.

In the three seasons since, split between the Cubs and Yankees, Bellinger has slashed a strong .281/.338/.477 with 73 home runs and 273 RBI. He was a top-10 MVP finisher in 2023 and took home a Silver Slugger award. At 30, he’s not just back – he’s reestablished himself as one of the more dangerous left-handed bats in the game.

That left-handed stroke would play well at Globe Life Field, especially with that short porch in right. But it’s not just the bat.

Bellinger brings valuable versatility – he can play all three outfield spots, first base, and serve as a designated hitter. He’s also stayed on the field, playing at least 130 games in each of the last four seasons.

The injury concerns that once derailed his career appear to be in the rearview mirror.

So, yes – from a pure baseball standpoint, Bellinger makes a ton of sense for the Rangers. He lengthens the lineup, gives them positional flexibility, and brings postseason experience to a team with championship aspirations.

But How Does He Fit the Budget?

Here’s where things get complicated.

The Rangers already have a projected $149.7 million in veteran payroll committed to just six players for 2026, according to Spotrac. Add in arbitration and pre-arbitration players, and the number jumps to around $191.9 million – and that’s before making a single move.

So dropping another $28 million per year on Bellinger? That’s not exactly in line with a “cut payroll” mandate. But there are ways to make it work – if the front office is willing to make some tough decisions.

Let’s walk through a few of the more realistic paths:

Option 1: Trim Around the Edges

Non-tendering outfielder Adolis García and catcher Jonah Heim could save the team around $18 million.

Trading first baseman Jake Burger – who’s arbitration-eligible – could clear another $3.5 million. That’s $21.5 million off the books.

Sign Bellinger, slot him in at first base, and absorb the remaining $6.5 million. It’s tight, but it’s doable.

Option 2: Move a Big Contract

Trading Marcus Semien – who’s owed $25 million in 2026 and still has three years left on his deal – would be a bold play, but it would open up a clear financial lane for Bellinger.

In this scenario, you could also move Burger, hand first base to Bellinger, and let younger players like Josh Smith, Ezequiel Duran, and Cody Freeman battle it out for second base. That’s a youth movement with upside, and it fits the “get younger, cut payroll” model.

Option 3: Go All-In on Restructuring

The most aggressive route?

Find a taker for Joc Pederson’s $18.5 million option, non-tender García and Heim, and trade Burger. That could save around $40 million – more than enough to bring in Bellinger and still have some financial flexibility left over.

Each of these paths comes with trade-offs, and none are easy. But they show that if the Rangers truly believe Bellinger is a difference-maker, there are ways to make the math work.

Is This Really on the Table?

That’s the million-dollar (or $140 million) question. Signing a 30-year-old to a five-year deal doesn’t exactly scream “cut costs.” But if the Rangers see Bellinger as a long-term asset who can replace multiple players’ production – and if they’re willing to make some tough calls on current roster pieces – it’s not impossible.

The fit is there. The bat is real.

The versatility is valuable. And if the front office can thread the financial needle, Bellinger could be the kind of addition that keeps the Rangers in the thick of the AL playoff race – without blowing up their long-term plans.

It’s not the easiest move to make. But it’s not a pipe dream, either.