NEW YORK — A decision the New York Yankees made weeks ago is now haunting the franchise at the worst possible time. The Bronx Bombers passed on bringing back beloved former captain Don Mattingly as a bench coach this offseason. That choice may now cost them one of the top free agent hitters on the market.
The Yankees have spent the winter trying to lock down outfielder Cody Bellinger. Multiple contract offers have gone back and forth between the two sides. Yet a deal remains elusive. Agent Scott Boras continues pushing for a seven-year commitment worth $36 to $37 million annually. The Yankees refuse to go that long.
With negotiations stalling, general manager Brian Cashman has turned his attention elsewhere. Free agent infielder Bo Bichette has emerged as a potential Plan B. There is just one problem. The 27-year-old appears headed to Philadelphia instead.
Mattingly’s hiring gives Phillies an edge
The Phillies hired Mattingly as their bench coach on Jan. 5. The move reunited the Yankees legend with his son, Preston, who serves as Philadelphia’s general manager. It also created a direct connection to Bichette.
Mattingly spent three seasons as the Blue Jays’ bench coach from 2023 to 2025. He worked closely with Bichette during that time. The two formed a strong bond in Toronto. That relationship now factors heavily into where the two-time All-Star might sign.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that Bichette expressed a desire to play for the Phillies after learning of Mattingly’s hire. New York Daily News’ Bill Madden went further. He described Philadelphia as the favorites to sign Bichette.
“That status started once they signed Don Mattingly,” Madden wrote. “Bo’s guy.”
Why the Yankees should have acted
Mattingly became available after the World Series. He announced he was leaving Toronto but did not plan to retire. The fit with New York seemed obvious. Mattingly played 14 seasons for the Yankees from 1982 to 1995. He was a six-time All-Star and won the 1985 American League MVP award. The organization named him captain in 1991.
Beyond the sentimental ties, Mattingly brings real value. He managed the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011 to 2015 and the Miami Marlins from 2016 to 2022. He won the National League Manager of the Year award in 2020. Teams seek him out for his experience and player relationships.
“My job is really just to be another set of eyes and ears for Thomps,” Mattingly said at his Phillies introduction. “Be managing along in the game, try to stay ahead a little bit.”
The Yankees never showed interest. That disinterest is coming back to bite them now.
Bichette represents a valuable fallback option
New York needs offensive help. Shortstop Anthony Volpe underwent shoulder surgery in October to repair a partially torn labrum. He may miss Opening Day and could be sidelined until April or May. The Yankees also lost Juan Soto to the Mets last offseason in free agency.
Bichette bounced back strong in 2025 after an injury-plagued 2024 campaign. He hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 139 games. His .840 OPS marked a significant improvement from the previous year. He also showed versatility by playing second base during the World Series for Toronto.
The infielder reportedly seeks a contract around $300 million. That figure places him in the company of elite shortstops like Corey Seager, Trea Turner and Francisco Lindor. At 27 years old, he offers several prime years ahead.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported the Yankees are looking more seriously at Bichette due to the gap in Bellinger negotiations. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman noted there is strong mutual interest between Bichette and Philadelphia.
“Bichette has a great relationship from Toronto with new Phillies bench coach Don Mattingly,” Heyman wrote.
The Bellinger situation remains complicated
The Yankees made Bellinger their top priority this winter. They acquired him from the Chicago Cubs last year and watched him hit .272 with 29 home runs in his first Bronx season. His left-handed bat thrived at Yankee Stadium, where he slugged .544 with 18 of his homers.
New York has reportedly offered more than $30 million per year. But the 30-year-old outfielder wants seven years. The Yankees prefer four or five. That disagreement on length threatens to doom negotiations.
NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch offered a bleak assessment of the Yankees’ position.
“The Yankees don’t appear to have a Plan B ready,” Klapisch wrote. “Outfielder Kyle Tucker is too expensive, and infielder Bo Bichette is almost certainly headed to the Phillies, where Don Mattingly, his former bench coach in Toronto, will assume that same role at the other end of the Jersey Turnpike.”
A meeting looms on Monday
The Phillies scheduled a video meeting with Bichette and his representatives for Monday, Jan. 12. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal reported Philadelphia’s interest is legitimate. The club has done extensive background work on how signing Bichette would affect its roster.
Bichette would slot into second base if he joins Philadelphia. That move could push Bryson Stott to third base. It might also trigger a trade of third baseman Alec Bohm, who agreed to a $10.2 million salary for 2026.
Heyman reported that Phillies players even texted Bichette about joining the team while he celebrated his wedding last weekend. The organization clearly wants him badly.
The Yankees still have time to finalize a deal with Bellinger. They could also pivot and make a strong offer to Bichette. But every day that passes without progress, Philadelphia’s advantage grows.
All because the franchise passed on hiring Donnie Baseball.
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