Yankees Weigh Big Ticket To Keep Former MVP In Town

At this point, it’s a foregone conclusion that Cody Bellinger will opt out of his $25 million player option for 2026. Only 30 years old, he’s had a resurgent season with the Yankees and proven that he still has the skills that made him a 2017 Rookie of the Year and the 2019 National League MVP. 

For years, everyone in baseball believed Bellinger was built for the Bronx. This year has proven that point and Yankees beat writer Randy Miller thinks it is a no-brainer that the team will try and keep him there long-term. 

But it won’t come cheap. 

Bellinger has rebuilt his value in the Bronx, producing a .269 average, .808 OPS, 21 homers, 68 RBI and 10 stolen bases over his first 111 games in pinstripes this season. He’s also handled all three outfield spots and first base without issue, giving manager Aaron Boone a true defensive Swiss Army knife.

Why Bellinger Fits the Bronx
The Statcast numbers back up the eye test. According to Baseball Savant, Bellinger owns a 39% hard-hit rate and a 7–7.5% barrel rate, both above league average. His .347 wOBA nearly mirrors his .334 xwOBA, showing his production isn’t the product of fluky luck. FanGraphs pegs his average exit velocity at 88.9 mph, putting him in the upper tier of big league hitters.

Those metrics translate in Yankee Stadium, where left-handed hitters with Bellinger’s ability to drive the ball thrive. His consistent contact quality, paired with a patient, selective approach, makes him a natural fit in a lineup that leans on power from both corners.

The Cost of a Comeback
That production and versatility will draw suitors, and with uber agent  Scott Boras representing him, Bellinger is unlikely to settle for another short-term deal. His last free-agent contract, which was three years, $80 million with player options, was signed after a bounce-back year with the Cubs. With his Statcast profile trending even stronger in New York, a new deal could push well past $25 million annually.

For a Yankees team already facing multiple free-agent decisions, Miller’s prediction feels right. Bellinger, whose father also played in the Bronx, seems to be a perfect fit.  They’ll want to keep Bellinger. But keeping him could require not just Bronx-friendly numbers, but Bronx-sized deal.