Yankees' Cody Bellinger pursuit hits major snag

The New York Yankees have made it a major priority to re-sign outfielder Cody Bellinger, but their chances of doing so appear to be declining.

The Yankees have hit an “impasse” with Bellinger in contract talks, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. As such, the team is now operating under the impression that Bellinger will sign elsewhere.

Reports have indicated that the Yankees are offering Bellinger a five-year deal worth roughly $30 million per year. Bellinger, however, is holding out for a seven-year contract that the Yankees are so far unwilling to offer.

Bellinger’s calculus is likely that this might be his last big chance at a huge free agency payday. The 30-year-old would, by accepting a five-year deal, next hit the open market at age 35, at which point he would be fairly unlikely to get a lucrative long-term deal.

Losing out on Bellinger would be a big setback for the Yankees, who essentially made retaining him their top offseason priority. Olney suggests that the Yankees could look at alternatives like Kyle Tucker, or may inquire on possible trades to address the possible loss of Bellinger.

Bellinger and the Yankees appeared to have a good thing going in 2025. He hit .272 with 29 home runs, and demonstrated his versatility by playing four different defensive positions for the team. The output will be difficult to replace, as will the positional flexibility, if Bellinger really does wind up going elsewhere.