The New York Yankees are taking a firm stance regarding their pursuit of Cody Bellinger, and it’s stirring up quite the discussion.
According to Bob Klapisch from the Newark Star-Ledger, the Yankees have decided internally that they will not engage in a bidding war for Bellinger should the New York Mets or any other team present an overwhelming offer. They believe their current five-year contract proposal worth $160 million, which includes a couple of opt-out clauses, is reasonable and are prepared for the possibility of letting Bellinger sign elsewhere.
As the offseason progresses, the Yankees have yet to make any significant moves, raising eyebrows among fans who expect their team to contend for the World Series every year. The stakes are high; retaining Bellinger could secure their lineup, but losing him would represent a substantial setback for a franchise that was eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS last season.
Bellinger, 30, had a remarkable performance during the 2025 season, achieving a batting average of .272 along with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases, contributing to an impressive .813 OPS across 152 games. He became an integral part of the Yankees' batting order, typically hitting third or fourth, providing crucial support to star player Aaron Judge.
His offensive prowess, combined with his defensive versatility, has made him one of the top free agents on the market, which raises the potential for a competitive bidding scenario. The Mets have already invested heavily in new players like Bo Bichette and Devin Williams, and they also traded for Marcus Semien, yet they still need to fill the gap left by the departure of their standout first baseman, Pete Alonso.
Other teams that missed out on securing talents like Kyle Tucker and Bichette might also join the competition for Bellinger’s services.
While the Yankees have presented what appears to be a robust offer for Bellinger, the possibility exists that another team might sweeten the deal with a longer contract or a higher average annual salary, leading to the likelihood that he may end up playing in a different outfield next season.
