The Yankees Make a Move for Cody Bellinger

On January 1, Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that the New York Yankees made a formal contract offer to free-agent hitter Cody Bellinger. While the specifics of the offer remain unclear, it’s evident that the Yankees are eager to bring the outfielder back to the Bronx. This move signals the team’s interest in strengthening their lineup and capitalizing on Bellinger’s recent performance.

Former MLB player Todd Frazier also expressed his support for Bellinger staying with the Yankees. On the January 2 edition of “Foul Territory,” Frazier commented:

“… Hopefully, they meet on even ground. But I don’t think Cody wants to go anywhere else. They say the Mets have been connected, which is why the Mets are always trying to find their way into things. They didn’t use to. But I think the two sides will ultimately come together and figure something out. These things take time, and then they’re like, ‘All right, we’ll get back to you.’ Then they look somewhere, and the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”

At 30 years old, this is likely the last big-time contract that Bellinger will receive, so it’s no surprise that he’s taking his time. The former Los Angeles Dodgers star had a standout season in 2025, playing at Yankee Stadium and posting a .272 batting average with 160 hits, 29 homers, 98 RBIs, and 89 runs scored in 152 games.

Why Bellinger Fits With the Yankees

As a result of Bellinger fitting well in New York, SNY’s Dani Wexelman suggests that the outfielder needs to remain with the Yankees, and the team needs to do everything to keep him. Wexelman stated in a December 31 video posted by MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM:

“Cody Bellinger is the obvious choice because he was just there, and he performed really well in Yankee Stadium. 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, and a guy who can be versatile in that way.”

Could Bellinger Return to the Dodgers?

Although the Mets and Yankees are linked to Bellinger, the outfielder might not want to remain in the Big Apple. MLB play-by-play announcer Jenny Cavnar believes the Dodgers are the Yankees’ most significant threat for the player. Cavnar said in a video posted by MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on January 2:

“If a contract is out to Cody Bellinger right now, it’s in his court. It’s in his court and his agency’s court. They’re countering, they’re listening to other offers. Who do you think the biggest competition is? That’s my question at this point in time. I don’t think it’s a team from the American League. I think their biggest competition is going to be the reigning World Series champs. You want to talk about a reunion.”

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see if Bellinger would consider returning to the Dodgers, as one of the team’s weaknesses last season was their outfield play. Los Angeles already addressed their main issue in 2025, which was their closer role with the signing of former New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz, and Bellinger could be the other.

Final Thoughts

The Yankees’ interest in Bellinger highlights the importance of having a versatile and high-performing player in the lineup. As the negotiations continue, fans will be watching closely to see where Bellinger ends up. Whether he stays in New York or returns to Los Angeles, his decision will have a significant impact on both teams.