Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding free agent outfielder/first basemanCody Bellinger and his chances of returning to New York with the Yankees or Mets…
Jan. 18, 4:45 p.m.
The Mets “still hold interest in signing Bellinger,” reports The Athletic’s Will Sammon. And after signing Bo Bichette on Friday, the team would prefer “to acquire him in another short-term arrangement.”
New York signed Bichette to a three-year, $126 million deal. Bellinger was previously reported to have been looking for a seven-year contract.
The Mets are still looking for a “versatile outfielder who can handle center field and support the corner spots,” per Sammon, a description Bellinger fits.
Sammon notes that Bellinger’s interest in a shorter deal is unknown.
Jan. 18, 3:55 p.m.
The Yankees have reportedly made an internal decision to not engage in a bidding war for Bellinger if another team, like the Mets, offers a bigger deal, according to The Star-Ledger’s Bob Klapisch.
New York has offered the star what they believe is a “fair proposal” — a five-year, $160 million deal with two opt-outs, Klapisch reports. He notes they are prepared to let Bellinger leave in free agency if he gets a bigger contract offer.
The NY Post’s Jon Heyman reported on Jan. 15 that the Yanks were willing to add multiple opt-outs to their offer. Since then, it appears New York has bumped up that offer by an additional $5 million.
Jan. 15, 11:02 p.m.
As the Yankees and Bellinger continue to negotiate, the NY Post’s Jon Heyman reports the Bombers are willing to add multiple opt-outs to their latest offer.
New York had added one opt-out, in what was a tweak to their latest offer and now would add a second to facilitate a deal with the free agent outfielder.
The Yankees have offered a five-year, $155 million deal to Bellinger, who is still holding out for a contract of seven years.
Jan. 13, 8:25 a.m.
The Yankees have tweaked their latest offer to Bellinger by adding an opt-out and signing bonus, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Additionally, the amended offer contains no deferrals.
Heyman reported on Monday that the Yanks and Bellinger “spoke through the weekend,” though a gap remained regarding what New York was offering and what Bellinger desired.
It was reported by ESPN’s Buster Olney on Saturday that talks between Bellinger and the Yankees were at an “impasse.”
According to multiple reports, the Yankees’ offer to Bellinger is for five years and roughly $150 million, while Bellinger is seeking a seven-year deal.
In addition to the Yankees, the Mets and Dodgers have been linked to Bellinger.
Heyman reports that free agent Kyle Tucker is among the alternatives the Yanks are considering, while noting that they’re “on the periphery.” The three teams most seriously linked to Tucker have been the Blue Jays, Mets, and Dodgers.
Jan. 10, 6:33 p.m.
Contract negotiations between the Yankees and Bellinger are currently described as at an impasse and New York is reportedly now operating under the assumption that the outfielder is going to sign somewhere else, reports ESPN’s Buster Olney.
The Yanks’ latest offer to Bellinger of a five-year deal for at least $30 million per year remains far off from what Bellinger and his camp, including his agent Scott Boras, are looking for which is reportedly a seven-year contract with an AAV of more than $30 million.
With both sides unable to reach an agreement, Olney reports that New York is now seeking additions elsewhere and barring a shift in the negotiations, Bellinger’s tenure with the Yankees is likely over.
New York can shift their focus to other possible targets such as Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, both of whom have been on the Yankees’ radar this offseason and who have remained in conversations with the organization during the Bellinger negotiations.
The Yankees also continue to engage other teams in trade possibilities.
Jan. 8, 9:02 p.m.
Although there’s a gap between Bellinger and the Yankees, the latest report shines a light on how far New York is willing to go with the outfielder.
According to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, the Yankees’ latest multi-year deal had an average annual value of more than $30 million a year. However, the report states Bellingers’ camp continues to push for a seven-year contract.
If Bellinger accepted the $30 million-plus AAV deal, it would have him as the fifth-highest-paid outfielder in baseball. Juan Soto ($51 million), Aaron Judge ($40 million), Mike Trout ($35.5 million) and Mookie Betts ($30.4 million) are the others.
The 30-year-old outfielder/first baseman had a great season in his first year in The Bronx, and the Yankees have made re-signing Bellinger a priority this offseason.
Other teams linked to Bellinger this offseason include the Cubs, Dodgers and Mets.
Jan. 6, 1:13 p.m.
There is “clearly a gap” between Bellinger and the Yankees, Jack Curry of YES reported on Monday during an appearance on Yankees Hot Stove.
According to multiple reports, Bellinger has been seeking a six- or seven-year contract.
In addition to the Yankees, the Mets have been heavily linked to Bellinger.
Bellinger’s ability to play all three outfield spots and first base is appealing, and sets him apart from fellow free agent Kyle Tucker.
However, Bellinger’s career OPS+ of 120 is dwarfed by Tucker’s career OPS+ of 140.
When it comes to the last three seasons, Tucker has an .892 OPS (150 OPS+), while Bellinger’s is .815 (125 OPS+).
Jan. 4, 7:09 p.m.
After making a formal offer to the outfielder earlier this week, the Yankees have reportedly made a second offer to the 30-year-old, per NY Post’s Joel Sherman.
The offer comes on the heels of the news that New York is eying starting pitcher Edward Cabrera in a possible trade with the Miami Marlins, which connects to the Yankees’ offer to Bellinger because if he were to stay in New York he would likely play left field, alongside Aaron Judge in right and Trent Grisham in center.
With that outfield configuration, the Yanks could afford trading away a player like OF Jasson Dominguez to a team, like the Marlins, for a different area of need such as starting pitching, although Sherman writes that that is merely speculation.
However, it does help that both teams have been trade partners in the past which shows a willingness on both sides to get a potential deal done.
Jan. 2, 5:22 p.m.
As the offseason continues, it seems the Yankees have formally made an offer to Bellinger earlier this week, per the NY Post’s Jon Heyman.
It’s no surprise the Yankees did so, as Bellinger is the team’s No. 1 target this offseason, but Heyman added that with both sides in a weekslong standoff, the Mets can’t be ruled out.
Other teams linked to Bellinger are the Dodgers, where the outfielder started his career, and the Giants. Heyman also adds the Blue Jays as a potential landing spot if Toronto does not land Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette.
Dec. 26, 9:50 a.m.
While the holiday season has lowered the hot stove temperature, it appears the Yankees’ hopes of re-signing Cody Bellinger remain high enough.
A reunion with the star outfielder is still a priority in the Bronx, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, and the club feels “pretty confident” he won’t move boroughs for a deal over in Queens.
The pursuit of Bellinger is also endorsed by the Yankees’ captain. Heyman reports Aaron Judge is “a big advocate” for a long-term commitment with the former MVP, who hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI as a one-year rental in pinstripes last season.
It’s unclear when Bellinger will take himself off the free-agent market, but with high demand from championship contenders, some projections have him earning around $30 million annually on a six-year contract. The Yankees may have to sweeten the pot in order to convince him to stay.
Dec. 14, 7:35 p.m.
While reports indicated that the San Francisco Giants “do not anticipate making the nine-figure investment” required to sign free agents this offseason, they aren’t checked out of the marketplace altogether.
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reported recently that the Giants “have checked in on” Cody Bellinger, the Yankees’ No. 1 target.
Bellinger proved to be a big part of the Yanks’ last season, contributing well on both sides of the ball with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, and a .272/.334/.480 slash line for an .813 OPS (125 OPS+ and wRC+) while ranking in the 93rd percentile in outs above average (seven) and with 12 defensive runs saved.
Dec. 4, 11:42 a.m.
While other suitors are certainly in the mix, Cody Bellinger remains the Yankees’ No. 1 target, and the club is making a “big effort” to bring him back, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Heyman lists the Mets, Phillies, Angels, and Dodgers as other possibilities.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan has previously reported that signing Bellinger would be a “multipart move” for the Yankees, as the club would almost certainly need to move one of their other outfield pieces –potentially Jasson Dominguez or up-and-coming prospect Spencer Jones.
With Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer, the Yanks would have a surplus of outfielders if Bellinger was to re-sign.