NEW YORK — The Cody Bellinger free agency saga has taken another dramatic turn. And this time, the New York Yankees appear to be sitting in the driver’s seat.
MLB insider Jim Bowden dropped a significant update on Tuesday. Bellinger is weighing multiple offers and could announce his decision shortly.
“Cody Bellinger is mulling over multiple offers from multiple teams and is expected to make a decision shortly,” Bowden wrote on X.
The timeline remains vague. But one thing is clear. This will not drag into late February like it did when Bellinger signed with the Chicago Cubs two years ago.
Mets make surprise move that helps the Bronx
The biggest development came late Tuesday night. The New York Mets completed a trade for center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox.
The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Mets sent infielder Luisangel Acuna and right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley to Chicago in exchange for Robert.
Robert brings a $20 million salary for 2026 with a $20 million club option for 2027. The 28-year-old center fielder was an All-Star in 2023 and won a Gold Glove Award in 2020.
Why does this matter for the Yankees? Center field was the most logical spot for Bellinger in Queens. With Robert now filling that role, the Mets’ interest in the outfielder may have cooled significantly.
Yankees hold firm on their offer
The Yankees have made their position clear. According to multiple reports, they have offered Bellinger a five-year deal worth $155 million to $160 million. The contract includes opt-outs after the second and third years, plus a signing bonus.
Yankees insider Bob Klapisch reported that the team has made an internal decision not to engage in a bidding war.
“Yankees believe they’ve made a fair proposal,” Klapisch wrote on X. “Five years, $160 million, two opt-outs. They’re prepared to let Bellinger walk.”
Agent Scott Boras has been pushing for a seven-year deal with a higher average annual value. But no team appears willing to meet that demand.
“I do not believe there is a team in baseball that has offered Cody Bellinger seven years,” Bowden said on the Foul Territory podcast. “I don’t think that’s out there. I don’t think he’s had an offer of six years.”
Blue Jays appear unlikely to join bidding
The Toronto Blue Jays were viewed as a potential dark horse in the Bellinger sweepstakes. They missed out on both Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette and needed an offensive upgrade.
However, The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon reported that Toronto “hasn’t appeared particularly interested” in Bellinger this winter. It seems “unlikely” they will pivot to outbid the Yankees at this stage.
That leaves the Yankees in a strong position. Their biggest competitor for Bellinger was the Mets. Now that competition has effectively bowed out with the Robert trade.
Why the Yankees need Bellinger back
Bellinger delivered in his first season in the Bronx. The 30-year-old former MVP played 152 games for the Yankees in 2025. He hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI. He added 160 hits, 89 runs and 13 stolen bases while posting an .813 OPS.
His versatility makes him even more valuable. Bellinger can play center field, left field and first base. He provides a powerful left-handed bat to balance the lineup alongside Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
Losing him would create a massive hole. The Yankees would need to pivot to unproven options like Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones. Neither prospect has established themselves at the major league level.
Other teams still lurking
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Bellinger was weighing interest from four teams on Tuesday. The Yankees and Mets were two of them. The identities of the other two remained unclear.
The San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies have been mentioned as possible suitors. The Chicago Cubs also showed interest earlier this offseason but signing Alex Bregman may have taken them out of the running.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic said he expects Bellinger to make a decision “within a week.” That timeline could accelerate now that the Mets have made their alternative move.
The path to a deal
For the Yankees, the math is simple. If Bellinger wants a five-year deal with security, the Bronx offers the best option. No other team has publicly matched their offer in terms of years.
The Mets preferred short-term deals this offseason. They signed Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract. That approach never aligned with what Boras was seeking for Bellinger.
Bowden remains confident in the outcome. “I still think it’s likely that Bellinger goes back,” he said.
What happens next
Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in about a month. The clock is ticking for all parties involved.
The Yankees have held firm on their offer for weeks. They have explored trade alternatives including Luis Robert and Nico Hoerner but never pulled the trigger on a deal.
With the Mets now out of the picture and the Blue Jays unlikely to make a strong push, the momentum has clearly shifted. The Yankees are in the best position they have been in all offseason to bring Bellinger back to the Bronx.
New York baseball fans will wake up Wednesday knowing that something has to give. Bellinger has offers in front of him. He is expected to decide shortly. And the Yankees appear to hold the strongest hand.
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