The New York Yankees have had a quiet offseason to this point, with much of the delay tied to the future of outfielder Cody Bellinger and his free agency decision.
Bellinger arrived in the Bronx last offseason, and at the time it was unclear whether he would command a major deal once he hit the market. That perception changed quickly after his performance in 2025.
Advertisement
In his final year under contract, the 30-year-old left-handed slugger delivered an outstanding season, posting a .272 batting average, .334 on-base percentage, .813 OPS, 29 home runs and 98 RBIs across 152 games.
He also provided excellent defense in the outfield, raising the club’s overall floor and proving himself to be one of the Yankees’ most valuable contributors.
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) during 2025 MLB season.© John Jones-Imagn Images
As a result, Bellinger has drawn wide interest from teams around the league, yet the Yankees have made it clear he remains their top priority. Still, the two sides are far apart in negotiations.
Advertisement
In a report Monday from Jon Heyman of the New York Post, details of the gap emerged, raising the possibility that both sides could ultimately move on.
“The Yankees are believed to have offered Bellinger about $155 million over five years. But with Bellinger looking for seven years, the sides are trying to find new ways around the gap over term,” Heyman wrote.
With no agreement in place, the Yankees have begun exploring potential replacements on the trade market. Heyman noted that Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has surfaced as a candidate if Bellinger departs.
Advertisement
“The Yankees are also looking at the trade market, but that isn’t exactly stocked with great options. They’ve checked in on underachieving White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, according to sources, and also Cubs star second baseman Nico Hoerner (as Pat Ragazzo of On SI reported), as well as at least a couple others,” Heyman reported.
Robert’s trade value has dipped since his dominant 2023 season, when he earned an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award. He has struggled to replicate that level of production, which could lower the acquisition cost.
Advertisement
Even so, his upside remains significant, making him an intriguing option for a Yankees team that may need to pivot quickly if Bellinger decides to sign elsewhere.
The outcome of Bellinger’s negotiations will shape the Yankees’ offseason direction as spring training approaches.
Related: Yankees’ Gerrit Cole Announces New Partnership Amid MLB Offseason
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.