Cody Bellinger Rumors: Yankees Out?
We have had some wild reports the last few days surrounding the New York Yankees and free agent Cody Bellinger. It began with strong rumors coming out of Chicago, connecting the Cubs to Bellinger, which may have prompted New York’s latest push to re-sign the 30-year-old. Yet, after leaks of the Yankees offer went public earlier this week there is now belief that Bellinger will end up signing with a different team.
First, the reported Yankees’ offer to Bellinger. The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty reported on Thursday that the Yankees have offered Bellinger a contract that is worth more than $30 million per year. However, Bellinger’s camp, led by his agent Scott Boras, is still seeking a deal of at least seven years in length.
Then, Bob Klapisch at NJ.com, reported on Friday that the Yankees are obviously not willing to go to seven years for Bellinger and furthermore the negotiations have gotten to the point where the outfielder/first baseman is asking for $36-$37 million per year.
That brings us to Saturday night, as ESPN’s Buster Olney dropped the latest update between the Yankees and Bellinger that pretty much says New York is giving him and Boras an ultimatum, agree to our deal or we’re moving on.
Olney confirmed the report that the Yankees have offered Bellinger with an AAV of $30 million, which goes in line to previous free agent deals signed this offseason by Pete Alonso (5 years, $155 million) and Kyle Schwarber (5 years, $150 million).
Via ESPN.
But barring a shift in the negotiations, it appears his time with the Yankees is over, and they’ll look at other possibilities to augment their roster. The Yankees have remained engaged in the conversations for outfielder Kyle Tucker and infielder Bo Bichette, and as they have haggled in the Bellinger negotiations, they have also engaged other teams about trade possibilities.
Stunning how the free agent market can change in a heartbeat, but I wouldn’t count out the Yankees just yet. If Bellinger is holding out for more money I’m not sure he’s getting it from the Cubs. Plus, there really haven’t been other teams strongly connected to him this offseason other than the Yankees from the start and most recently the Cubs.
Bellinger has rebounded nicely after a few injury-plagued years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He seemed to love his time with the Cubs, but this is now the second time his free agent market hasn’t exactly reached the heights that he’s desired. Bellinger has been seeking a $200 million+ deal since 2024, but he first had to settle for a three-year, $80 million contract with the Cubs that included two opt outs.
Now, after earning $60 million in the previous two years, Bellinger is hoping to cash in the biggest contract of his career. Will he cave and come down from the reported $36-$37 million per year range and sign something like a five-year, $170 million with the Yankees? We’ll see.
And if he doesn’t, will the Cubs swoop in and get him on a shorter deal like they did last time around Bellinger tested free agency? Supposedly, the Cubs are very much interested in bringing Bellinger back.
Cubs have legitimate interest in Cody Bellinger
What makes this new rumor more newsworthy is where it’s coming from. No, not Heyman and this goes beyond Bruce Levine’s mention on Thursday morning. The Chicago baseball insider said on 670 The Score that between Bellinger and Tucker, the Cubs actually prefer to bring back Bellinger. That note came after Bleacher Nation’s Michael Cerami reported that a source has indicated to him that the Cubs do actually have genuine interest in Bellinger this offseason.
Cerami has become the best source in Chicago media when it comes to actually breaking acquisitions. Whether it’s at the trade deadline or free agency, Cerami has established himself as the go-to Cubs guy when it comes to breaking news. He was the first to report the Edward Cabrera trade was close to being finalized on Wednesday and after it was made official Cerami dropped another bomb.
Via Bleacher Nation.
To be honest, I had a hard time believing it myself, but according to a source, the Cubs do have a legitimate interest in re-signing Cody Bellinger this offseason. And, hey, they’ve done it twice before! Perhaps they’ll go for the trifecta this winter.
The Cubs have no excuse not to sign a top hitter this offseason. I know some fans don’t really love the fit for Bellinger at this moment, but it’s important to look into the future. Whether it’s an infielder or outfielder, the Cubs need more talent because after 2026, the only position players you can count on being with the team are Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Matt Shaw and Dansby Swanson.
As for this season, there’s pretty much no one saying that Kyle Tucker will return so you have to replace his production. Sure, Moises Ballesteros can put up decent numbers, but it’s important to add another quality bat to the lineup and not rely on the rookie to make up for the bulk of Tucker’s absence. Whether it’s Bellinger, Bo Bichette or Alex Bregman, the Cubs have to sign another position player after trading for Cabrera.
Right now, Bellinger appears to be the new hot name in Cubs’ circles.
Hey, finally some excitement and actual players to talk about for the Cubs. That’s why the Cabrera trade was so big. It does open up several other opportunities to get better, now it’s up to Hoyer to get that extra piece, something he didn’t do a year ago.