NEW YORK — The injuries have been nonetheless contemporary on the conclusion of the American League Division Collection when Cody Bellinger unbuttoned his pinstriped Yankees jersey and stated he’d “completely” be occupied with placing it again on.
The sensation was mutual. For months, common supervisor Brian Cashman and others within the group voiced their intent to proceed a relationship that had appeared an on the spot match, with Bellinger’s athleticism, character and flexibility making him a favourite of supervisor Aaron Boone.
“He was an impactful participant for us final 12 months, and we’d like to have him again if it may match for us,” Cashman stated in the course of the Winter Conferences.
We could also be about to seek out out what the Yankees’ Plan B is. With negotiations stalled over years and annual common worth (AAV), ESPN’s Buster Olney reported on Saturday that the membership is “now working underneath the belief that Bellinger goes to signal elsewhere.”
Though that might characterize a public message to Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, the Yankees don’t seem keen to budge from their most up-to-date supply, believed to be within the vary of 5 years and not less than $30 million per season.
The package deal is comparable in size and worth with the offers that Pete Alonso (5 years, $155 million with the Orioles) and Kyle Schwarber (5 years, $150 million with the Phillies) have signed this winter. Bellinger is looking for an extended dedication, presumably seven years.
Bellinger, 30, earned $27.5 million final season, when he batted .272/.334/.480 with 25 doubles, 29 dwelling runs, 98 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 152 video games. The Cubs coated $2.5 million of that wage after dealing him to New York in December 2024 as a part of a payroll-clearing transfer.
With 5.1 bWAR, Bellinger’s 2025 season was his strongest since 2019, when he was the Nationwide League’s Most Helpful Participant with the Dodgers (8.7 bWAR).
That variance is a part of the analysis. Bellinger cratered in ’21 with Los Angeles (-1.6 bWAR), rebounded with the Cubs in ’23 (4.8 bWAR), then noticed a dip once more in ’24 (2.2 bWAR) earlier than a bounceback within the Bronx.
Nonetheless, there was no scarcity of golf equipment: Boras prompt in the course of the Winter Conferences that as many as eight golf equipment have checked in.
If Bellinger departs, the Yankees’ options are restricted. Kyle Tucker is extensively considered as the highest outfielder obtainable, however apart from a November tour of the Blue Jays’ coaching facility in Dunedin, Fla., his free company has moved slowly.
In recent times, the Yankees have added weighty nine-figure offers, together with packages for Aaron Decide, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Max Fried. Their provides to Bellinger represented one other.
“Every part provides up. Every part counts,” Cashman stated in December. “We’re an aggressive franchise. However whereas being aggressive, we have already got some very giant commitments. The extra of these you have got, the extra it impacts you in different areas.”
Bo Bichette represents an interesting pivot, with the added bonus of subtracting a key bat from the division-rival Blue Jays.
In concept, Bichette may open the season at shortstop whereas Anthony Volpe recovers from left shoulder surgical procedure. However scouts consider Bichette profiles higher long-term at second base or third base, positions at present occupied by Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ryan McMahon.
A Bichette signing would thus open commerce avenues — probably for a beginning pitcher, with the Yanks having expressed curiosity within the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta and the Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore, amongst others. That holds true for a Bellinger reunion as properly, contemplating Jasson Domínguez could be dislodged in left area.
