NY Mets rumors: The overlooked detail behind the Cody Bellinger interest

Roster building is supposed to be loud. Big swings, bigger quotes, and an explanation that fits neatly into a headline. But the New York Mets have not always moved that way, especially when a front office sees value in something less marketable. Some traits do not sell jerseys or dominate talk radio, yet they quietly shape how lineups function over 162 games.

That context matters after reports today indicated the Mets are very much in on Cody Bellinger. The obvious reasons for that interest are easy enough to list and have already been listed plenty. What has not received the same attention is a subtler part of Bellinger’s recent profile, one that aligns neatly with the types of hitters this front office has shown a willingness to bet on.

Cody Bellinger’s lower strikeout rate fits what the Mets seem to value

Jorge Polanco is already giving the Mets plenty on the surface. A switch hitter who posted a .305 batting average against lefties and a .337 mark with runners in scoring position, he directly addresses two areas where the lineup struggled in 2025. Those numbers matter. What matters more, at least in this context, is how Polanco changed the way his plate appearances end. In 2024, he struck out in 29.2 percent of his trips. One year later, that number fell to 15.6 percent, the largest single-season strikeout drop in MLB history. That is not a tweak. That is a transformation.

The same theme quietly shows up in Marcus Semien’s profile, even if it is rarely the first thing mentioned. Fans understandably focus on his defense and the power spikes from his recent past, but Semien’s consistency at avoiding strikeouts has been just as valuable. In 2025, he finished with a 17.4 percent strikeout rate, following two straight seasons at 14.6 percent. With the league average sitting at 22.2 percent, Semien has lived comfortably below it for years. That kind of contact stability tends to age well, especially when the league continues to lean harder into velocity and swing-and-miss pitches.

A similar Polanco-style change shows up in Cody Bellinger’s recent numbers

That brings the conversation back to Bellinger. His defensive versatility and offensive upside make him an obvious fit on paper, which is why those traits dominate the discussion. The quieter part of his profile deserves equal attention. In 2022, Bellinger struck out in 27.3 percent of his plate appearances. By 2023, that number dropped to 15.6 percent, a Polanco-like shift that reshaped how his at-bats played out. More importantly, it stuck. Over the last two seasons, including a 13.7 percent mark in 2025, Bellinger has maintained that lower strikeout level rather than drifting back.

None of this proves intent, but it does suggest a pattern worth noticing. David Stearns is best known for prioritizing run prevention, yet recent roster moves and targets hint at an appreciation for hitters who keep the ball in play. The Blue Jays just pushed the Dodgers to a World Series Game 7 using that exact approach, trading some swing-for-the-fences appeal for relentless pressure. If the Mets are serious about Bellinger, his ability to turn strikeouts into contact may be one of the more meaningful reasons why, even if it is not the loudest one.