NEW YORK — The pursuit of Cody Bellinger has turned into a potential free agency showdown. Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette are off the board. Now all eyes turn to the Yankees and their star outfielder.
Something shifted this week. Both sides have moved closer to a deal. The Yankees sweetened their offer. Bellinger and his agent Scott Boras dropped their asking price.
The market chaos of the past 48 hours could finally push this deal across the finish line.
Tucker and Bichette reshape the market
The calculus changed dramatically on Thursday night. Kyle Tucker became the second-richest player by average annual value in MLB history. His four-year deal with the Dodgers carries a staggering $60 million AAV.
That left the Yankees and Mets scrambling. New York had been chasing Tucker along with the Blue Jays.
The Mets pivoted quickly. They agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract with Bo Bichette on Friday morning. The deal includes two player opt-outs after the first and second seasons. It contains no deferred money and carries a $42 million AAV.
That puts added pressure on the Bellinger situation. The Bronx Bombers need their man.
Yankees add two opt-outs to their offer
The Yankees made their move this week. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the club sweetened its five-year, $155 million offer. They added two opt-out clauses to give Bellinger flexibility.
The deal includes no deferred money. It also contains a sizable signing bonus. The average annual value sits around $31 million per season.
That structure would allow Bellinger to test the market again after a strong year. It addresses his desire for long-term security while protecting the Yankees from risk on the back end.
Bellinger drops $37 million demand
The real breakthrough came from Bellinger’s camp. Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media reported that Boras adjusted his stance on the dollar figure.
“Bellinger and agent Scott Boras were said to have softened their demand for $37 million per year,” Klapisch wrote. “They’d moved closer to the Yankees’ number ($31 million per), but were still asking for a seven-year deal. That’s where talks paused, although it’s possible further compromise is just around the corner.”
The shift in AAV is significant. Bellinger originally sought $36 million to $37 million annually. He has now moved closer to the $31 million range the Yankees prefer.
One major league executive told Klapisch that Boras “obviously needed Tucker to sign first” before making his next move.
Boras waited for Tucker to sign. That move gave him leverage. Now he can potentially pit the Yankees and Mets against each other for Bellinger’s services.
Contract length remains the sticking point
The gap on years continues to separate both sides. The Yankees have held firm at five years. Bellinger wants seven.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the specifics earlier this week. The Yankees offered between $155 million and $160 million over five years with no deferrals. Bellinger is seeking at least a seven-year commitment.
That disagreement has caused a standoff for weeks. But the softening on annual value suggests Bellinger may be willing to compromise on length as well.
Bellinger thrived in pinstripes last season
The 30-year-old outfielder delivered an outstanding 2025 campaign for the Yankees. He hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs across 152 games. His .334 on-base percentage and .480 slugging percentage produced a 5.1 WAR. That marked his best season since winning NL MVP in 2019.
Bellinger crushed the ball at Yankee Stadium. He launched 18 of his 29 homers at home. His .909 OPS in the Bronx was nearly 200 points higher than on the road.
Manager Aaron Boone raved about Bellinger’s defense and versatility throughout the year. He played 85 games in left field, 41 in center and 52 in right. He can also handle first base at an elite level.
Mets loom as potential threat
The Mets had earmarked $220 million for Tucker. That money is now available for other pursuits. Bellinger could become their next target if Yankees talks stall again.
Owner Steve Cohen has shown he will spend whatever it takes. The Mets just committed $126 million to Bichette despite losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz this winter. Their projected payroll has surpassed $345 million.
The pursuit of Bellinger could resemble the scramble for Juan Soto in late 2024. Boras, who also represents Soto, knows how to pit New York’s two teams against each other.
Spring training looms
Pitchers and catchers report in less than a month. The clock is ticking for both sides.
The softened demands from Bellinger. The added opt-outs from the Yankees. The narrowing gap on AAV. All signs point toward a resolution that could keep Bellinger in pinstripes for years to come.
Yankees fans will be watching closely. The Bronx Bombers cannot afford another offseason loss after missing out on Tucker and Bichette.
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