1 roster move Yankees must make after Christmas

The New York Yankees enter the 2025 offseason facing a defining moment. The team enter the post-Christmas stretch with patience, restraint, and quiet confidence, but MLB free agency rarely rewards hesitation. As the calendar turns, one roster move stands above all others for the Yankees and that is re-signing Cody Bellinger before he ends up on a new club.

The Yankees won 94 games last season and entered October with championship expectations. Context which matters. Teams in their position do not search for reinvention. They search for stability. The 2019 NL MVP provided exactly that in his lone season in the Bronx, and his absence would reopen problems the front office already solved once.

The Yankees offseason puzzle only fits together if Bellinger returns. With Trent Grisham back after accepting a qualifying offer, the outfield floor remains intact, but Grisham fills a supporting role. The veteran fills the structural one. He anchors either left field or first base and allows the rest of the roster to settle into defined roles. Without him, the Yankees must scramble late in MLB free agency for production that no longer exists.

Bellinger delivered tangible results in 2025. He hit 29 home runs, drove in 98 runs, and finished with a 4.9 WAR. Those numbers ranked among the best at his position and represented his strongest offensive output since his MVP season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. More importantly, he thrives under the daily pressure that comes with playing for the Yankees, something many talented players fail to do.

Lineup balance remains a priority for the Yankees. Losing Juan Soto last offseason already shifted the offense toward right handed power. Removing Bellinger would leave the lineup exposed against high end pitching in October. His left handed bat forces opposing managers into tougher bullpen decisions and gives Aaron Boone lineup flexibility that no remaining free agent can replicate.

Defense further strengthens the case. The 30-year-old posted elite metrics in the outfield while also providing above average play at first base. His versatility allows the club to weather injuries and optimize matchups across a long MLB season. No other player available in MLB free agency offers that same combination of offense, defense, and positional flexibility, especially with Kyle Tucker likely too expensive given Hal Steinbrenner’s offseason comments about staying under the cap threshold.

The competitive threat in Queens across the city adds urgency. New York Mets rumors continue to link Bellinger to Queens following significant roster turnover. The Mets now have clear needs in the outfield and at first base, the exact roles he fills. Allowing a proven 4.9 WAR player to walk directly to a rival would create both a competitive disadvantage and a public relations problem the Yankees can easily avoid.

For a franchise with arguably the most recognizable logo in all of sports, the decision should not stall progress financially. The expected market value for the slugger sits between $30 and $35 million annually. For a club with championship aspirations and one of the highest revenues in the sport, that figure reflects market reality rather than excess. The Yankees have already shown restraint elsewhere. This is where that restraint should be strategically deployed.

The market itself reinforces the urgency of the moment. While other elite left handed bats have come off the board, the Yankees have made it clear they want Bellinger back. MLB free agency at this stage rewards decisiveness rather than creativity. If the Yankees fail to re-sign him, there is no clear alternative that preserves the roster’s current ceiling without sacrificing top prospects in a trade.

The club remains legitimate World Series contenders with Bellinger in the lineup. Without him, that outlook becomes far less certain. Championship windows often close faster than expected, especially when roster continuity breaks down. The Yankees do not need to gamble on projection or upside. They need to secure what already works.

The offseason for New York does not need a major splash. It requires completion. Re-signing Bellinger transforms uncertainty into clarity. It locks in lineup structure, preserves defensive strength, and blocks a rival from capitalizing on hesitation. Most importantly, it aligns action with ambition.

For a franchise defined by championships rather than participation, the decision should not drag on. The organization already knows the answer. What matters now is whether they act.