Batting .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs, Cody Bellinger enjoyed his 2025 campaign. The outfielder played a starring role in helping the New York Yankees qualify for the playoffs.
Now a free agent, Bellinger is one of the most sought-after players on the market. Although several top teams have expressed their interest in signing the slugger, the Yankees are considered the favorites to re-sign him.
According to reports, negotiations have progressed to the point where the Yankees have offered Cody Bellinger a deal with an AAV that exceeds $30 million. However, the contract length remains a sticking point in negotiations.
Although signing Bellinger will definitely be a step in the right direction for the Bronx Bombers, ESPN’s Michael Kay has urged the organization to be cautious and refrain from repeating the mistakes they made while signing DJ LeMahieu in 2021.
“I like Cody Bellinger as a player, and he seems like a delightful guy. If (Bellinger’s agent) Scott Boras insists on seven (years), and he says ‘I’ve got seven from another team,’ the Yankees’ answer should be ‘You should take it.’ At some point, you got to tap out,” Kay said.
“For all you Yankees fans that think they should give him whatever he wants, that’s exactly what you said about DJ LeMahieu. How’d that work out? The Yankees have made an extraordinarily good offer (to Bellinger). If he took the Yankee offer, he’d be in the top five average annual value of outfielders in MLB right now,” he added.
DJ LeMahieu signed a six-year, $90 million deal with the Yankees in early 2021. When he joined, LeMahieu was one of the best hitters in baseball. Though his stint in the Bronx started strongly, injuries and inconsistency plagued his final years as a pinstriper.
Apart From The Yankees, The Mets And Dodgers Remain In Contention For Cody Bellinger’s Signature
While the New York Yankees are heavy favorites to sign Cody Bellinger, the New York Mets and the LA Dodgers are two other teams that have an outside chance of landing the outfielder.
The Mets, similar to the Yankees, need to bolster their outfield and have yet to make their first big signing of the winter.
The Dodgers, too, could do well with some reinforcement in their outfield, though their needs are not as severe as the two New York outfits.
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