On Tuesday, ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan linked the Toronto Blue Jays to free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger in free agency.

Beyond the Yankees, who would like a return engagement with Bellinger -- though Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer would make for a crowded outfield with a Bellinger reunion -- the Blue Jays see him as a perfectly good alternative to Tucker.

The Bellinger idea makes sense for all the same reasons that Tucker does, but it also comes with the same pitfalls. Let's examime:

The Bellinger file

Now 30 years old, Bellinger has spent nine years in the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. A lifetime .261 hitter, he won the National League MVP in 2019 with LA and he captured the 2020 World Series. He hit .272 for the Yankees in 2025 with 29 homers and 98 RBIs, pairing with Aaron Judge to make one of the best duos in the American League.

He's also solid defensively and provides versatility at first base, center field and right field. He's a two-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger, a Rookie of the Year winner and a Gold Glover.

He will also cost less money than Tucker.

Why he's a good fit

Well, the Blue Jays just got within one game of winning the World Series in 2025, and more good players will help them try to win it for good in 2026. Furthermore, he's good defensively, and as a lefty, he breaks up the right-handed group of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Alejandro Kirk. If Bo Bichette comes back, that right-handed group is even more pronounced.

The questions

Similar to to Tucker, this is all about defensive alignments. Let's look at what's at play here.

1) Presuming everyone is healthy, the Blue Jays have to find spots for Anthony Santander and Springer in 2026. And they should. Both are excellent offensive pieces who have the ability to make the Jays one of the best lineups in the sport, especially if you add Bellinger.

2) Neither Santander nor Springer are regarded as strong defenders. One of them will have to play the field and one of them will have to serve as the designated hitter.

3) Let's stay Springer is in the outfield with Bellinger. That leaves only one additional spot for Addison Barger, who broke out this season in a big way, and Daulton Varsho, who was a Gold Glove winner in 2024.

4) Is Toronto going to further sacrifice defense and bench Varsho? Would they trade him? Seems unlikely. Do they want to bench or move Barger, who has immense power and a cannon for an arm? Seems unlikely.

5) They could always move Barger to third base, a position he's played a lot, but what happens to World Series hero Ernie Clement? 

6) They could move Clement to second base, but what about Andres Gimenez? Oh, you want to play Gimenez at shortstop? Sooooooo, where's the room to bring back Bichette in free agency and play him at second? 

7) Of course, you could bring back Bichette, but then Clement would be on the bench....

It should be noted that Springer's contract is up after the 2026 season, so this could just be a one-year issue, and maybe there's no such thing as a one-year issue, but it's definitely something to think about.

RELATED BLUE JAYS STORIES

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JOE CARTER STOPS BY MLB NETWORK: The hero of the 1993 World Series sat down on Tuesday to reflect on the current crop of Jays players. CLICK HERE: 

TUCKER THE BEST MOVE? Jeff Passan of ESPN thinks that signing Tucker is the best move that the Blue Jays can make this offseason. Here's why. CLICK HERE:

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