Outfielder Cody Bellinger has opted out of his contract with the Yankees, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Bellinger had one year and $25MM remaining on his deal. He’ll take the $5MM buyout instead.
Bellinger signed a three-year, $80MM contract with the Cubs ahead of the 2024 season. The deal included opt-outs after each year. Bellinger did not opt out after 2024. He was traded to the Yankees for Cody Poteet that offseason. Chicago also sent cash in the deal, paying $2.5MM of Bellinger’s 2025 salary and another $2.5MM that will now go toward the $5MM buyout.
Bellinger bounced back from a pedestrian season with the Cubs to post a strong 2025 in New York. The friendly confines of Yankee Stadium helped the lefty launch 29 home runs, his most since his 2019 NL MVP season. Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 while also grading out as a strong defender.
The standout season in the Bronx made Bellinger’s opt-out decision an easy one. He’ll hit the market as a 30-year-old still capable of playing all three outfield positions and first base. His camp is likely looking for at least a five-year commitment with an asking price above $100MM. Bellinger is not eligible to receive a qualifying offer, since he received one from the Cubs following the 2023 season. The Yankees can’t extend the QO and will not receive compensation if he signs with another team.
Bellinger joins Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso as top bats entering the market after opting out of their current contracts. His next foray into free agency is likely to be more fruitful than his previous attempts. After a pair of injury-plagued years, the Dodgers cut him loose following the 2022 season. Bellinger latched on with the Cubs on a one-year deal for 2023. He earned NL Comeback Player of the Year honors, but the market remained skeptical. Bellinger returned to the Cubs on the aforementioned three-year deal, and didn’t perform well enough in 2024 for an opt-out to be a logical choice. Chicago’s acquisition of Kyle Tucker made a trade seem inevitable, and New York was able to acquire him for a minimal return.
New York’s outfield could look quite different in 2026. Bellinger is joining Trent Grisham in free agency, leaving the Yankees with Aaron Judge, Jasson Dominguez, and then plenty of question marks. Top prospect Spencer Jones is a candidate to earn a job next season. The young lefty could provide the power/speed element that New York would be losing with the Bellinger departure. Grisham is a candidate to receive a qualifying offer, and the roughly $22MM could be enough to entice him back after a career-high 34 home runs.
What a surprise
Exepmtion – What an interesting word.
Towinagain, are you going to post this in every topic this week?
If I’m a Yankees fan I feel like I’d want them to prioritize bringing Bellinger back. Felt like a good fit for the team and a generally good ballplayer.
I’m fine with the risk of a market deal for Belli even though it doesn’t fill CF need. Probably looking at 6/175+/-.
Belli can play center and they can always move the Martian back to his original position which was CF…..his flexibility between all 3 outfield positions and first base is necessary going forward.
I would be shocked if they give Jasson any time in CF. Yes, that’s where he mostly played in the minors, but most scouts said he was destined for the corners. Seeing as how badly he struggled in LF defensively, I can’t imagine going back to CF suddenly cures those ills. Generally, most capable CFers can slot into the corners well. Maybe he’s an exception but I’m guessing more than likely he ain’t
@mostly
Wasn’t the issue with the switch from CF to LF the factors that LF is more expansive and he didn’t take to adjusting the routing he to and reading the ball of the bat from the LF position but was more comfortable doing so from the CF position? His issues had nothing to do with speed, range or arm strength which is usually the case in being able to stay in CF. He prefers to play in CF and I doubt he would feel that way if he were unable to handle it.
I know his positional flexibility was a real value (in addition to everything else), but I’m guessing he’ll need to be a near everyday CFer if they re-sign him, right (or at least most of his reps there)? Sounds like they’re ready to commit to Jasson as a starter. Spencer Jones is certainly very exciting but the swing and miss issues are too extreme for now to be a realistic CF option next year.
Rice should make the jump to fulltime 1B, although I think in their end of season press conference, the FO seemed noncommittal on his role for now.
I know they want to protect Belli’s health, but if he gets penciled in at CF, then that clarifies the lineup a lot better IMO.
Rice 1B, Jazz 2B, Caballero SS, McMahon 3B, Jasson LF, Belli CF, Judge RF
Ideally it would be preferable to at least have a RH CF’er who can allow Belli to slide to LF. They seem set on leaving JD in LF and I doubt they will be counting on Jones at this point. Having someone like a Slater or Lane Thomas would be helpful. Bader would be perfect but I assume he’ll have everyday opportunities elsewhere.
Most of the team struggled to hit .230 and you’re worried about Jones striking out too much? The guy hit over .270 with 35 home runs and 29 SB mostly in AAA. The great Dominguez couldn’t hold down a starting position and he automatically gets LF? McMahon can’t hit. Couldn’t hit in Colorado, certainly couldn’t in the Bronx. Jazz is a head case, caballero is not a starter. I think they should bring Jones up, in fact he would have been up if not for Grisham having a “career year” which ironically coincided with him being on the cusp of free agency (and we saw how that transpired in the playoffs). They’ll continue to give Dominguez opportunity after opportunity yet won’t let jones get a shot, crazy. The media loves Lombard, good fielder but another one who can’t hit a lick. But again, the guy who can hit and with a lot of power and play a good field (jones) won’t get a shot because he strikes out. Remember, a lineup with Rice(not a great 1 baseman), jazz(flawed second baseman), caballero(really a platoon guy), McMahon(great glove, absentee batter), Dominguez(what does he actually bring?), bellinger(a pros pro) and Judge(arguably the best player of a generation) as your lineup will get you another early exit in rocktober. LOL don’t get me started on Lombard Jr. The sad thing is, I’m a Yankee fan but just absolutely disgusted at how this organization is run.
So your solution is to insert a guy who makes the team’s problems even worse? Do you know what Jones did in AAA after the trade deadline when they stopped throwing fastballs to him?
His numbers dropped off a cliff and struck out 43.6% of his PA’s in Aug/ Sept. Yes, you read that right.. He only got promoted to AAA after repeating AA. If there is somebody who has had ML success with his profile, it can’t be a long list.
And what about Lombard? he started this yr as a teenager and hit AA as a 20 yr old.. Impressive by any standard. Years too early to say he can’t hit.
I’m not sold on Dominguez yet but even he produced a league-average yr as a 22 yr old. You seem to have no patience or slack for anybody but Jones.
Hitting .230 is certainly an issue but striking out nearly 30% of the time in the minors isn’t a good thing either. I’ve seen based where guys like him actually can learn better strike zone command when they get to the majors because pitchers are able to throw more strikes and maybe coaching and watching Judge might help? I wouldn’t be afraid to call him up if someone is injured but I certainly don’t think he’s earned the right to start over Dominguez. It’s amazing how ppl pooh pooh on JD but overlook he’s 22, a rookie, had a pretty good walk rate just under 10%. His k rate is high at 26% but at least he’s making decent contact with a
.257 ba, which is considered good in the days. And what “opportunity after opportunity” are you speaking of? This is first year of play? He only appeared in 21 games over his age 20 and 21 year seasons. Sounds like you have some personal bias towards him. Jazz too. How is he a “flawed” 2b? He’s a + defensive 2b that can also fill in at 3b and OF if needed. He’s had back to back +4 WAR seasons and is coming off a pretty good 10% walk, 30/30 season. So what if he’s “colorful” or showed his disappointment bring benched in the playoffs. You want guys that want to be in the big games and in NY, you should want guys that want to be in NY. His personality fits. If he struggles in the playoffs I promise you out won’t be because he’s scared. And for Callabero, I prefer to give Vilpe another year and keep Calli as a super utility guy. I wouldn’t completely subjigate him to bring a back up. 3b is an area where defensively we finally have a stud but if we can find someone they’d a better contact hitter and a glove 75% as good i would be happy. I’m more concerned with running it back with last years OF because I completely expect Stanton will likely miss games thus creating an opening for Jasson and Grishy. If like them to go hard to fix the bullpen including bringing back Williams if he can be had at a depressed market price.
I mean I personally would be fine to let Jones hit .200 and be a prime Joey Gallo that can steal a load of bases, but I don’t think the Yankees are going to do that. And as Nunez noted, K rates north of 40% just fundamentally means he will not even be able to manage a .200 average in the majors.
Only one qualified hitter in AAA the past decade ran a K% over 40.0 and that was Nellie Rodriguez in ’17, a guy nobody has probably heard of because he never made it to the bigs.
If he can get that close to 30% then they’ll try to make him an everyday guy. But if AAA pitchers can adjust and turn him into a lousy hitter, then don’t expect him to be NYC regular next season.
Dominguez: I’m just telling you want the Yankees are saying
McMahon: they traded for him to be a defense-first 3B and that’s what he is
Caballero: was a 2.1 fWAR player last year with 49 SBs. Volpe ain’t gonna be healthy for OD so yes, he’s the SS. unless they sign HSK or Bichette (which would be terrible), don’t expect anyone else
Rice: he’s an elite hitter, they’ll suffer less than stellar defense to get his bat in the lineup everyday
Jazz: defensive question mark but he’s a 30/30 player and is an All Star for a reason lol
I’m not a Yankees fan and I certainly wouldn’t want a roster full of strike out artists in my lineup top to bottom, but I would be shocked if what I mentioned above isn’t the opening day lineup (pending wherever Belli ends up)
All speculation until you give the guy a shot. If that’s the opening day lineup, it will be another season ending in defeat.
@mostly
Jazz is considered a + defender at 2b so I’m not sure what you’re talking about. As far as JDi haven’t heard anyone say he can’t handle CF. That’s the position he’s played and prefers to play.
Over/Under $160 Mil ?
Under
You should be working for Vegas. They usually get so close. Gimme the under.
I’ll guess 5yr/150mil
He has platooned as a 1B/OF. If Boston is looking to make a splash and sees Cassas as damaged goods, I wonder if he’s on the radar.
The Red Sox are drowning in OF currently, and I don’t see them signing him as essentially an everyday 1B. I assume there’s still some hope of Casas being salvageable if he can stay healthy.
Yeah but assuming Duran is the odd man out and trade bait for a pitcher, an outfield of Anthony, Rafaela, Abreu looks pretty good if Bellinger is primary first baseman with a few games in the outfield when someone needs a night off. Without taking into account third base and the questions there, first base is the obvious spot for the Red Sox to upgrade if we’ve looking to add a bat.
More of thought experiment than a fan saying they should go out and do this.
1B isn’t a spot they will look to upgrade until the deadline. Casas, Refsnyder, Lowe… Sox will see how that all plays out first.
Sox should focus on thinning the OF and signing a legit #2.
Thinking outside the box, Sox trade both Duran and Abreu for a better pitcher trade and sign Beli for a corner OF.
I’m expecting the Polar Bear to be manning first for Boston next season. They don’t much need an outfielder.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him in right for the Giants.
Hopefully a Dodger reunion – take the Conforto roster spot
He’s going to get more years than the Dodgers likely want to lock up. If he was willing to sign a two year deal with a third year option? Sure.
I would love to have him back on the team.
Versatile, consistent OBP, nice pop. He fits on pretty much every team in the league.
Very interested to see how his market develops.
Ok, now get him back please.
they’ll take the wrong lesson from this postseason. instead of “dodgers prove the way to win is to spend money on good players” it will be “blue jays prove the postseason is a crapshoot.” then they’ll cross their fingers and hope jasson and spencer are major league starters (they would be… on the rockies)
I dint understand the hate towards Dominguez. As a 22 yo I think he has a good season.
Surprising no one.
Opting out, cashing in, and, unless he resigns with the Yankees, or signs with the Reds or Orioles, all stadiums tilted heavily to favor lefties, he will not live up to expectations. Either way, smart move on his part.
Two things can be true at the same time–he’s going to be overpaid, and he’s going to produce at a reasonable level. He reminds me a little of Paul O’Neill. Will contribute, plays hard, won’t be a star in his later years,
He will get paid by a contender. Couldn’t be in a better position to cash in. 4 years with options in place. $110 million.
He is probably better as a corner outfielder going forward
I’m sure he’ll end up with more total money but not anything outrageous at all. He’s a good player but if I was a GM he would be third or fourth on my list of players I’d go after as far as outfielders go. Somebody will take him for maybe a three year contract. I’m gonna guess 50 million but I sure wouldn’t be comfortable giving him that. Decent player though. Streaky career.
What’s his best fit on the Yankees? 1B or OF. If 1B trade Wells and move Rice to Catcher. If OF Trade Dominez or Jones now. Does anyone want Stanton? Haha. Yankees could move Judge to DH and have OF of Bellinger, Dominez, and Jones. Any chance Yankees get Kwan for Jones and Gil. Endless possibilities but the time is now!!!!
I see the Yankees moving on from him easily and entirely. There’s a lot of things the Yankees can do like you pointed out but I don’t see them spending their money like this. He’s gone.
Bellinger’s plate discipline is elite, and his fielding is still well above average. He’s a solid contributor, but not an impact player. His batted ball data is a little underwhelming, if not concerning. A lot of weak contact, and his bounce back directly correlates with the banning of the extreme infield shift. I don’t think he’s going to get a mega deal anywhere, but he can probably get some security for 3-4 years.
Fear-what you said is my thinking too. I don’t even know if he’ll get a three year deal anywhere. He’s always been a little overrated. You never know what you’re gonna get from him either. Too much uncertainty which can cost him in free agency. Especially with his years starting to add up.
I know it won’t happen, but the Pirates should offer Bellinger a crazy amount of money as he could slot in virtually anywhere on the field for them.
4 years at $110 sounds right to me.
He’s not worth $25 mil.
Wouldn’t mind seeing him with the Mets. Solid D player at the two positions they can use him at. 5/125.
Yankees sorta need him more than anyone. Not many teams would go 5 years for a 30 year old but the Yankees cheerfully would. He’s a good bet to return to the NYY. Boston and the other usual suspects are probably around to drive the price the Yankees pay.