Aaron Boone on Yankees’ pursuit of free agent Cody Bellinger
During the MLB Winter Meetings, Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed issues about the makeup of the 2026 team, including the pursuit of Cody Bellinger.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Still in the shadowboxing stage of a winter improvement plan, Yankees GM Brian Cashman mentioned the plodding pace of negotiations.
“This market seems to be at glacial speed,’’ Cashman said Wednesday, as the Yankees prepared to leave MLB’s Winter Meetings virtually empty handed.
That doesn’t mean it’s been quiet everywhere, with Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso becoming ex-Mets this week and Kyle Schwarber cashing in with the Phillies.
“There’s not a lot of the inventory I’m interested in coming off the board yet,’’ said Cashman, who was not in on Diaz, who’ll be closing games for the world champion Dodgers.
“But you keep working at it.’’
Here are three issues of concern as the Yankees exit the Hilton Bonnet Creek, nine weeks away from the start of spring training:
Potential of Cody Bellinger landing elsewhere
Is this Yankees lineup OK without Cody Bellinger, if the alternative is adding some platoon right-handed bats?
You’ve heard about the Yankees’ interest in a reunion with Bellinger.
You’ve also heard manager Aaron Boone say the gap between the Yanks and the AL champion Blue Jays isn’t that far away, while Cashman repeated how much he likes his current roster.
“We have a strong team,’’ Cashman said. “But the job is to make it better and stronger.’’
At this winter stage, Cashman said “there’s a lot of possibilities in play,’’ in free agency and the trade market. “I just don’t have any prediction how anything’s going to play out.’’
As with any free agent, there’s a limit to where they’ll go with Bellinger, who fits their dynamic but might not fit their idea of a long-term commitment – say, five-to-six years at $150 million-$180 million to throw out a range.
But without Bellinger, doesn’t the pivot have to include impact right-handed bats?
That could put the Phillies’ third baseman Alec Bohm and Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto, a power-hitting corner infielder, in their sites.
The improving AL East division
The league’s toughest division is only getting tougher.
After the Blue Jays landed free agent starters Dylan Cease ($210 million) and Cody Ponce, Toronto made it clear that they’re still seeking impact players.
Toronto will almost assuredly improve its bullpen next; the Jays have been tied to interest with free agent closer Robert Suarez as well as outfielder Kyle Tucker, this market’s top free agent position player.
Already, the rival Red Sox have added starter Sonny Gray, they might reunite with third baseman Alex Bregman, plus they have outfield depth to swing another impact trade.
And after nearly landing Schwarber in free agency, the Orioles’ pivot was to Pete Alonso on a $155 million deal.
After landing the slugging first baseman, the O’s could next address their starting rotation or add to their bullpen – having already signed closer Ryan Helsley.
Speaking Wednesday of passing on Edwin Diaz, Cashman said he’s “a hell of a pitcher, glad he didn’t land in the American League somewhere.’’
Hours later, Diaz’s old teammate Alonso landed at Camden Yards, further fortifying an AL East foe.
Yankees’ quest for pitching depth
Cashman is seeking to add impact bullpen arms, and in recent years the Yankee have excelled at finding quality relievers without spending lavishly.
Whatever savings here could be put toward adding right-handed hitting or importing a starter.
Does that mean they’d chase Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai? Do they have any current desire to use big-league ready talent and top prospects in a big-time trade?
Would they even try a one-year deal for a veteran such as Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer, knowing Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt will join Max Fried, Cam Schlittler and Luis Gil at some point in 2026?
Odds are, the Yankees add to the bullpen and monitor the starters market for a potential midseason need.
“This winter roster situation is different than last year,’’ said Cashman, speaking generally about the team’s needs after losing Juan Soto to the Mets in free agency following 2024.
“Don’t misinterpret that as saying I don’t realize there isn’t areas of weakness on this roster that we need to improve upon. It’s just not as prevalent as last year.
“We have good players spread through this roster,’’ said Cashman. The importing of “certain options to make it better is what I’m trying to navigate.’’