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.
After the Yankees’ Big Nothing of a Winter Meetings, welcome to the Big Wait.
While seeking a reunion with Cody Bellinger, the Yankees will continue to seek upgrades – including the addition of right-handed hitters and impact relievers.
According to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, the uncertainty around Bellinger won’t delay other business.
“I don’t know if it’s afford to wait (on a resolution on Bellinger’s free agency)”, Cashman said Wednesday, as the Winter Meetings wrapped up in Orlando, Florida.
“We’re opportunistic,’’ Cashman said. “We like our players, that is a fact.
“But there’s players outside of our current control system that we also like and may very well like more and better,’’ Cashman said. “Because there’s a lot more (cost) certainty’’ via trade or free agency.
“It’s my job to play on that stuff and try to figure it out. And if we come to an area that makes a lot of sense, then we’re ready to pounce. If not, we like what we have, too.’’
Yankees’ wait-and-see tact with Cody Bellinger
Cashman again referenced switch-hitting left fielder Jasson Dominguez and slugging center field prospect Spencer Jones as potential starting options in 2026.
Bellinger’s presence would make Dominguez a fourth outfielder and possibly delay Jones’ big-league arrival, while also making them greater potential trade chips.
For now, the Yankees seem content to watch Bellinger’s free-agent market develop and then react.
“We just stay in touch with the marketplace and see where it takes him, and therefore, us,’’ Cashman said of Bellinger. “He’s still on the board, as are others.
“And externally there’s a lot of free agents/trade potential guys as well, so we’ll just stay engaged on it and see what happens.’’
But you wonder if the Yankees’ price limit on Bellinger – whatever that might be – is exceeded by the Blue Jays, Phillies, Dodgers or Mets, the big-market clubs tied to interest in the lefty-hitting outfielder/first baseman.
Yankees’ cost of doing business in this market
Meanwhile, what echoes around Yankees Universe is owner Hal Steinbrenner’s “ideal’’ desire to stay below the $304 million final luxury tax threshold, manager Aaron Boone’s sentiment that they’re not far from matching the AL champion Blue Jays, and Cashman’s praise of the current roster.
“They want what they want, and ultimately, what we both want is to have a team that’s going to rack up the win totals to push themselves into postseason and win it all,’’ said Cashman, asked generally about fans wondering why the Yankees haven’t yet flexed their financial might in this market.
The Yankees’ payroll is already at roughly $282 million and Cashman says that costs matter.
“Everything adds up, everything counts,’’ said Cashman. “We’re an aggressive franchise, but while being aggressive, we already have some very large commitments.
“And the more of those you have, the more… it impacts you in other areas. Everything’s tied together.’’
Cashman mentioned that ownership has “demonstrated year in and year out how committed they are, but at the same time, that’s not an open blank checkbook either.
“You try to navigate it the best way you possibly can and blend the veteran with the young up-and-coming players and come out with a strong product.’’