A rumor about a potential Cody Bellinger replacement for the New York Yankees is sure to disappoint fans already bothered by their lack of activity this offseason.
This past season, the Yankees won 94-games for a second straight year, and nearly stole away the American League East title in the final weeks. For most teams, that would be a season worth high praise. But the Yanks aren’t most teams, and the standard is sky high. That is why their ALDS elimination a year after reaching the World Series was viewed as a letdown.
Heading into the offseason, the expectation was that New York would be aggressive to improve the roster to get back to the series in 2026. However, the club has been unusually quiet over the first few weeks of the offseason. The biggest news that has come out of the Bronx so far is retaining the services of Trent Grisham and Tim Hill.
Unsurprisingly, NY Yankees fans are not thrilled. Making matters worse is that it is starting to look more likely that outfielder Cody Bellinger will not return. Meaning the team will need to replace his bat in the order and defense in the field.
NY Yankees Targeting Austin Hays as Cody Bellinger’s Replacement?
Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There are certainly still some notable options on the free agent and trade markets. Such as Chicago Cubs All-Star Kyle Tucker. However, a new report has emerged on the player the team could target to fill Bellinger’s spot in the lineup, and it is sure to further frustrate diehard fans.
According to New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman, eight-year veteran Austin Hays is on the team’s radar, and he has become a “realistic” option if they can’t re-sign Bellinger. A rumor last week claimed the Yankees outfielder is looking for a long-term deal worth close to $400 million.
Hays is a Baltimore Orioles veteran who earned All-Star honors in 2023. He has played for three different teams since, including the Cincinnati Reds this year, where he posted a slashline of.266/.315/.453/.768 16 homers, 64 RBIs, and 60 runs. He made $5 million last season, so he will likely get double that for 2026.
He is far more affordable than Tucker or Bellinger, and has hit 15 or more homers four times during his career. He is a good, solid player, but his potential signing will not pacify fans unhappy with the Yanks’ offseason thus far.
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka … More about Jason Burgos