Andrew Friedman didn’t mention Cody Bellinger by name – he didn’t have to. When the Los Angeles Dodgers’ president of baseball operations was asked about the biggest offseason need they have, his answer raised eyebrows.

Friedman mentioned they are looking for a “position player.” Someone, he said, can be “really good on both sides of the ball.”

Now, that description feels very specific – a versatile defender, a left-handed bat, and someone who can move between the outfield and the infield. In other words, it looks like he was referring to Cody Bellinger, one of the biggest offseason names.

In fact, former Yankee outfielder Clint Frazier raised alarm bells after hearing this cryptic message: “If I’m the Yankees, I’m a little worried about hearing that.”

And that’s not without reason. One major aspect is – Cody Bellinger might be interested in having a full-circle moment.

He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers after all, spending the first six seasons of his MLB career at LA. Now, he might want to go back to them. Belli shined at LA, winning 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, 2019 NL MVP, 2020 World Series ring.

Plus, it does seem like the Dodgers are making space in their roster, and names like Teoscar Hernández and Tyler Glasnow are being mentioned as potential trade pieces. Bellinger produced the most HRs this season (29) since hitting 47 during his MVP season, and he’s been ranked as the 9th best primary outfielder.

In fact, ESPN’s Jeff Passan has predicted that the Dodgers are interested in a reunion to upgrade their outfield.

Brian Cashman and Co. should take it seriously, because they are not the team they were before. Players now want to join the “evil empire” simply because of the appeal that back-to-back World Series titles gave them. This isn’t just about dollars anymore. It’s about comfort, familiarity, and winning. Plus, the Dodgers have a vacancy in left field, and as long as Cody Bellinger and Tucker remain unsigned, they will very much remain in the picture.

And what makes matters even worse is how cautiously the Yankees are operating.

The New York Yankees are still considered the December favorite to land Bellinger, but that label largely exists because his market has not taken off yet.

For the the Yankees, nothing much has happened since Trent Grisham accepted his qualifying offer. Not to mention the front office is busy talking about their financial limits.

If the Yankees think the Dodgers can’t manage to take a franchise cornerstone, here’s a heads-up: they managed to get Edwin Diaz, someone who was with the Mets for seven long years!

The Edwin Díaz move the Yankees should be studying closely

The Dodgers’ Edwin Diaz heist is the kind of lesson the Yankees cannot afford to ignore. Diaz didn’t just stumble into Los Angeles. The Dodgers saw an opening, and they attacked it.

The Mets signed Devin Williams for three years and $5 million. A move, whether intentional or not, simply cracked open the door. Apparently, Diaz didn’t appreciate that the Mets did the Williams signing without informing him, and then the Dodgers’ offer landed on his table. They offered a three-year $69 million deal and solved their biggest weakness with the best closer in the market.

Plus, given the Mets’ late-season collapse in 2025, Diaz opted out of his final two years and $38 million left on his deal.

“I chose the Dodgers because they are a winning organization,” Diaz noted, calling the decision “pretty easy.”

That’s not just about money talking – it’s about conviction. And the Los Angeles Dodgers might be luring Bellinger exactly with this appeal.

For the Dodgers, though, the Diaz deal is a no-brainer.

They needed an elite closer after a bullpen blew 27 saves and posted a 4.27 ERA during a championship season. Stat-wise, too, Diaz is not a gamble. He has 235 saves since 2017 and a 1.63 last season. He will be the Dodgers’ first true closer ever since Kenley Jansen left.

Evidently, the New York Yankees should know that roster building is not just about having the resources but about recognizing the moments. If they want to retain key players or even keep pace, they will need to show some urgency.