NEW YORK — The staring contest continues. Cody Bellinger wants a seven-year deal. The Yankees refuse to budge. And as the calendar flips to 2026, the Bronx Bombers find themselves in an increasingly favorable position.
The market that was supposed to be robust has turned cold. The Mets, Dodgers and Phillies were all viewed as prime destinations for the former NL MVP. None have made aggressive moves. That silence has shifted the leverage squarely to the Yankees.
Multiple reports now indicate a reunion with the Yankees is the most likely outcome for Bellinger. The question is no longer whether he returns. The question is who blinks first.
Bellinger’s market fails to materialize
Scott Boras clients rarely see their markets crater. Bellinger might be the exception. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported this week that the Yankees are holding firm on their offer.
“Until his price drops, the Yankees don’t seem inclined to budge,” Passan wrote on Threads in response to a fan question about the negotiations.
Passan added that teams across the league are taking similar positions with other big free agents. He noted this could lead players toward shorter deals with opt-outs, similar to what Pete Alonso, Matt Chapman and Blake Snell accepted.
The Yankees entered the offseason knowing Bellinger was their priority. They also entered knowing they would not overpay. The DJ LeMahieu contract still haunts the organization. That six-year, $90 million deal resulted in a midseason release in 2025. Bellinger reportedly wants more than double that commitment.
Former GM predicts Yankees will land Bellinger
Former Mets general manager Jim Duquette offered a prediction on MLB Network Radio. He expects Bellinger to sign a six-year deal with the Yankees.
“I think he’s getting six years,” Duquette said. “I still think the Yankees, even though there’s other teams that jumped in, I still cannot imagine that the Yankees will not be the final suitor on him.”
Duquette pointed to how well Bellinger fit in the Bronx. The left-handed bat thrived behind Aaron Judge in the lineup. His performance helped Judge win another MVP award.
“He was such a good fit, obviously, mostly hitting behind Judge,” Duquette added. “He had an over-5-WAR, 5-WAR season. That’s a hell of a year right there.”
The numbers that justify the Yankees’ interest
Bellinger delivered exactly what the Yankees needed in 2025. He slashed .272/.334/.480 across 656 plate appearances. He belted 29 home runs and drove in 98 runs. He scored 89 times. He played elite defense at multiple positions.
The short right field porch at Yankee Stadium turned him into a weapon. His left-handed swing was built for that ballpark. Teams around the league understand that his production could dip elsewhere. That awareness has cooled outside interest.
CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson projected Bellinger back to the Yankees in his landing spot predictions.
“There’s no reason to overthink this one,” Anderson wrote. “Bellinger’s game is a perfect fit for Yankee Stadium and he’s coming off a great year with New York.”
Cashman and Boone make their case
The Yankees have been publicly clear about wanting Bellinger back. General manager Brian Cashman spoke about the fit at the Winter Meetings.
“Cody Bellinger would be a great fit for us,” Cashman said. “I think he’d be a great fit for anybody. I think he’s a very talented player that can play multiple positions at a high level, and hits lefties, hits righties. He’s a contact guy, and I think our environment was a great one for him.”
Manager Aaron Boone echoed the sentiment. He described what Bellinger brought to the clubhouse beyond statistics.
“What Cody brought to us last year, in so many ways … who he was in the room, his performance in between the lines on both sides of the ball, his athleticism, his versatility, who wouldn’t want a player like that?” Boone said.
The Mets threat that faded
After losing Juan Soto to the Mets last offseason, Yankees fans feared a repeat with Bellinger. Steve Cohen’s checkbook loomed as a threat. The Mets lost Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo this winter. They have holes Bellinger could fill.
Yet reports indicate the Yankees feel confident the Mets will not steal Bellinger. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported the Yankees are “pretty confident” he will not skip to Queens.
Robert Murray of the Baseball Insiders Podcast stated on New Year’s Eve that a reunion with the Yankees is the “most likely outcome” for Bellinger. The momentum has shifted.
What happens if negotiations stall
The Yankees have alternatives. Jasson Dominguez could start in left field. Spencer Jones is knocking on the door. Ben Rice provides depth. But none of those options replicate what Bellinger brings.
SNY’s Dani Wexelman made the case for why Bellinger remains essential.
“Cody Bellinger is the obvious choice because he was just there, and he performed really well in Yankee Stadium,” Wexelman said. “He is a really nice fit with the team. He’s an even better fit behind Aaron Judge to protect him. And he gives Aaron Boone so many options, right? A guy who is above average on the infield and in the outfield is an incredible resource.”
The AL East arms race adds pressure. The Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease. The Orioles added Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward and Shane Baz. The Yankees need to respond. Bringing back Bellinger would be their statement.
Passan acknowledged the Yankees are a better team with Bellinger than without him. The market agrees. Now it comes down to price. Someone has to blink. As the new year begins, all signs point to Bellinger being the one who does.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
