A year after the Yankees brought in Cody Bellinger and Cody Poteet for $25 million, keeping Bellinger this offseason may cost even more.
Having experienced his impact over an entire season, the Yankees have made retaining Bellinger a high priority for the upcoming winter.
“We’d love to keep him on the team, but we haven’t discussed it yet,” GM Brian Cashman mentioned during a press conference at Yankee Stadium. “We haven’t had any talks with [Bellinger’s agent] Scott Boras. Bellinger has significantly contributed to our performance both offensively and defensively. He’s versatile and a fantastic addition to our clubhouse. But there’s still a lot to sort out.”
About a week after their playoff exit to the Blue Jays in the ALDS, the Yankees are yet to hold their annual pro scouting meeting to strategize for the offseason.
Once the World Series concludes, Bellinger is expected to officially opt out, leaving behind $25 million on his contract to re-enter the free market. At 30, he’s likely to attract significant offers after a solid season in pinstripes.
Despite a slow start, he ended the season with a .272 batting average, an OPS of .813, 29 home runs, 25 doubles, and 13 stolen bases. His defensive skills across all three outfield positions and first base earned him a bWAR of 5.0—his best performance since he was named National League MVP in 2019.
“He was a key player for us,” Cashman acknowledged. “We’re thankful we acquired him. He played a big role in our organization’s ambitions this season. His contributions have been invaluable.”
Overall, Bellinger seems to have had a great time in the Bronx, where his father, Clay, celebrated World Series victories in 1999 and 2000.
While he has expressed a desire to play for a contender, the monetary aspect will also come into play, as this might be his best opportunity to secure a better deal than the three-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Cubs in February 2024.
The Yankees will see $253 million tied up in luxury taxes next season, according to Kot’s Contracts, although contracts with Aaron Hicks and Marcus Stroman will come off the books by 2026. This situation gives them some wiggle room to stay under the highest tax threshold of $304 million.
Outfielder Kyle Tucker, also a client of Boras, stands out as the top free agent position player available. At two years younger than Bellinger, his offensive potential may drive his contract costs even higher, possibly setting the market expectation.
However, Bellinger’s ability to adeptly fill multiple positions adds flexibility to the Yankees’ roster. Plus, they already know he can handle the pressures of playing in New York.
Another factor is the Yankees’ current roster, particularly who will play alongside Aaron Judge in the outfield.
Jason Dominguez is set for another opportunity in left field, following a season where he lost time to Trent Grisham, who is also a free agent. Additionally, top prospect Spencer Jones is pushing for a chance from Triple-A, but his arrival will depend on the Yankees’ offseason decisions.
“Jones is definitely going to be considered in spring training,” Cashman noted. “He’s competitive and a part of the conversation. It hinges on how many openings are available based on our choices this winter. He’s positioning himself to potentially be an everyday major leaguer by 2026, which is promising.”
