Could Cody Bellinger’s next team be a major surprise? Are the Los Angeles Angels interested in this former National League MVP?

After the season, former New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger chose to become a free agent, and his next destination might take an unexpected turn! According to a recent article by the American media outlet FanSided, the Los Angeles Angels could emerge as a surprising contender in this bidding war, competing against financially strong teams like the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees.

At 30 years old, Bellinger hit 29 home runs and drove in 98 runs for the Yankees this year, posting an impressive OPS of 0.813. Experts estimate his new contract could be worth as much as $180 million over six years. While many initially expected a bidding war among the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets, the Angels have now reportedly expressed interest in joining the competition.

FanSided points out that Bellinger spent many years with the Dodgers and won the National League MVP in 2019, making him very familiar with the Los Angeles area. Additionally, the Angels’ star Mike Trout has been plagued by frequent injuries recently, and with Taylor Ward traded to the Baltimore Orioles, the team faces a significant gap in their outfield strength. Although Bellinger might prefer other teams if his goal is to win a championship, considering this could be his final big contract, the Angels may be able to offer very attractive terms.

Angels’ general manager Perry Minasian has been active in the market lately. Although the team failed to retain legendary closer Kenley Jansen, they quickly acquired two former All-Star relievers, Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz. Minasian also stated that the team’s strengthening plan is far from over. If the Angels can offer a more enticing long-term deal than the big-market teams, they could very well pull off a major upset in the race for Bellinger’s signature.