Rangers Linked to Cody Bellinger — But Does a $140 Million Deal Fit Their Plan?

With MLB free agency now underway, the Texas Rangers are officially in position to start shaping their roster for the 2026 season. According to president of baseball operations Chris Young, this winter’s focus will be on getting “younger” and “cutting payroll.” Yet, despite that message, one reputable outlet has linked Texas to one of the top free agents available — a move that would do the exact opposite of trimming expenses.

MLB Trade Rumors ranks Cody Bellinger as the No. 8 free agent on the market, projecting him to land a five-year, $140 million contract with an average annual value of $28 million. One of the site’s analysts predicted the Rangers would sign him, though without explaining how that would fit their financial goals.

So, why and how could the Rangers consider a pursuit like this?

After being non-tendered by the Dodgers following a rough 2022 season (.210/.265/.389 with 19 homers and 58 RBIs), Bellinger has revived his career with impressive consistency. Over the past three seasons with the Cubs and Yankees, he’s hit .281/.338/.477 with 73 home runs and 273 RBIs, finishing in the Top 10 in NL MVP voting in 2023 and earning a Silver Slugger Award. Now 30, Bellinger appears healthy and productive again, capable of playing the outfield, first base, or DH — and his left-handed power would fit perfectly in Globe Life Field’s right-field dimensions.

That’s the upside. The challenge lies in the finances.

The Rangers already have about $149.7 million committed to six veteran players for 2026, according to Spotrac, and their projected payroll sits around $191.9 million when arbitration and pre-arbitration players are included — before any new additions.

To afford Bellinger’s $28 million per-year price tag, Texas would need to free up significant salary space. Here are a few possible routes:

• Non-tender Adolis García and Jonah Heim, saving roughly $18 million, then trade Jake Burger (projected $3.5 million). That would create room for Bellinger at first base.
• Trade Marcus Semien, who’s owed $25 million annually for three more years, along with Burger, and use the savings to sign Bellinger. That would open second base for younger players like Josh Smith, Ezequiel Duran, or Cody Freeman.
• Move Joc Pederson’s $18.5 million contract, non-tender García and Heim, and trade Burger — freeing up about $40 million total to sign Bellinger while still reducing payroll overall.

Each scenario would require multiple moves, and given Bellinger’s age and price, the fit seems more like a long shot than a likely outcome.

In short, Bellinger would unquestionably make the Rangers’ lineup stronger, but fitting him into a roster that’s supposed to get cheaper and younger would take some creative maneuvering. For now, connecting Texas to a top-market free agent feels more like speculation than strategy.