Another day has passed, and it’s another day where free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger and the New York Yankees have not reached a contract agreement. Despite the Yankees’ reported focus on reuniting with Bellinger this offseason, general partner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman have shown no signs of improving their initial offer of five years and $160 million.

A potential sign of flexibility from the Yankees emerged on Sunday when, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, it was suggested that the team might be open to including opt-outs after the second and third years of the deal. However, if this report is accurate, it has not led to any progress in the negotiations.

Bellinger, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, has yet to sign with the Yankees or any other team, despite interest from the New York Mets. According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Mets prefer to secure Bellinger with a short-term, high-salary contract rather than a five-year deal.

While the stalemate continues, the Yankees remain active in other areas of the roster. On the opening day of the 2026 international free agent signing period, the team made 14 signings.

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Although Bellinger could address one of the Yankees’ most pressing needs, they have also focused on solving a potential long-term issue — the catching position.

With last year’s first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, a former National League MVP, leaving in free agency, the Yankees will move last year’s 26-home run-hitting rookie Ben Rice from the catcher’s spot to first base. This leaves only 2020 first-round pick Austin Wells, who posted a .712 OPS last season, to handle most of the catching duties.

The lack of catching prospects is a growing concern for the Yankees. Among their top 30 prospects as rated by MLB Pipeline, none are catchers. This likely explains why the Yankees added four teenage backstops to their 2026 international class — a group led by 16-year-old right-handed-hitting catcher Kenneth Melendez from Venezuela.

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The Yankees operated with a $5.44 million bonus pool after losing $1 million due to signing free agent starter Max Fried, who declined a qualifying offer from the Atlanta Braves. Melendez received the largest signing bonus of the year, $250,000, according to journalist Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.

According to a scouting report by Empire Sports Media, the 16-year-old shows “real offensive promise.” “Evaluators believe he has a chance to be the best player in the Yankees’ international class this year,” wrote ESM correspondent Andres Chavez. “There is real offensive promise in his bat, including the ability to handle more than just fastballs, and that matters at a position where offense is often a bonus rather than an expectation.”

On defense, Melendez “already shows soft hands and fluid movement behind the plate. Those are skills that cannot be taught easily, and they give him a projection edge as he grows into his frame,” according to Chavez.

The Yankees focused mainly on defensive players, signing only two international outfielders as they continue to navigate Bellinger’s contract demands.

In addition to Melendez, the Yankees signed catchers Cesar Lopez for a $150,000 bonus, Abraham Pichardo for $100,000, Poly Ojeda for $30,000, and John Rosillo for a modest $10,000 signing bonus. All four catchers were signed from Venezuela.

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