Yankees Make Move After Cody Bellinger News

According to Bob Klapisch of The Star Ledger, the Yankees have offered a five‑year, $160 million contract with two opt‑outs.

That appears to be the ceiling of their willingness, and the front office is prepared to let him walk if he pursues a deal elsewhere, even with the New York Mets. Such a move would be particularly painful for Yankee fans and would further intensify the city rivalry.

Just one day after reports of stalled negotiations, the Yankees made a move that could serve as insurance. The front office signed first baseman and outfielder Seth Brown to a minor league deal, as reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball.

Brown, a left‑handed power bat, represents a potential depth option and a stylistic archetype similar to Bellinger, though without the same superstar profile.

The 33‑year‑old has spent seven seasons in the league with the Athletics, where he showed flashes of power but struggled with consistency.

He hit 45 home runs across 2021 and 2022, proving he can drive the ball out of the park, yet his strikeout totals and inconsistent production limited his role.

By 2025, Brown was bouncing between the majors and minors, including a brief stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple‑A affiliate.

For the Yankees, the signing is a no‑risk move that adds veteran depth and a left‑handed bat to the system, giving them another option should injuries or roster shuffling create opportunities.

Still, the team’s offseason strategy clearly revolves around whether they can retain Bellinger.

His decision will shape the roster’s ceiling in 2026, determining if New York can keep pace with its division rivals or if it must pivot to secondary options in hopes of remaining competitive.