Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to reporters on Sunday, offering updates on a few key free agents and discussing plans for the 2026 lineup. Free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger continues to be a popular topic of conversation, and Cashman reiterated that the team wants him back next season.
“Cody Bellinger would be a great fit for us,” Cashman said (h/t Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). “I think he’d be a great fit for anybody. I think he’s a very talented player that can play multiple positions at a high level, and hits lefties, hits righties. He’s a contact guy, and I think our environment was a great one for him.”
Bellinger has been linked to the Yankees all offseason. A report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggested the club views fellow free agent Kyle Tucker as a backup plan if they can’t retain Bellinger. For what it’s worth, Cashman said Tucker hasn’t visited the Yankees’ complex in Tampa (relayed by Hoch). The former Cub recently stopped by the Blue Jays’ facility in Dunedin.
The 30-year-old Bellinger opted out of his contract in early November, hitting the open market after a strong first season in the Bronx. He slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 13 stolen bases this past year. Bellinger had one year and $25MM remaining on his deal. Given the widespread interest in his services, he should land a much more lucrative pact.
Bringing back Bellinger might exacerbate a lineup configuration issue addressed by Cashman. The roster skews left-handed at the moment. “That is a problem,” Cashman said (h/t Greg Joyce of the New York Post). Cashman added that the team wouldn’t make a trade just to get a right-handed hitter if they aren’t better than the lefty currently in place.
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are the only righties slated for regular at-bats next season. The club’s shortstop will likely also be a righty, with Jose Caballero handling the position until Anthony Volpe is available. After that, it’s a bunch of lefties, with a couple switch-hitters mixed in. The righty/lefty mix might be more of a pressing issue if New York struggled against lefties last season, but that wasn’t the case. The Yankees led the league in OPS, wOBA, and wRC+ vs. left-handed pitching in 2025. They tied the Dodgers for the most home runs off southpaws.
If Cashman is set on rebalancing the lineup, a certain right-handed infield prospect comes to mind. George Lombard Jr., the team’s top prospect, seems to be on the verge of making an impact at the MLB level. Cashman threw cold water on the possibility of Lombard being involved right away, though. “He could play defense in the big leagues right now, but he’s still developing on the hitting side. Exciting, high ceiling talent. But I don’t think he’s ready yet.” (h/t to Hoch)
The stance is in line with Cashman’s previous comments on Lombard’s trajectory. The 2023 first-rounder hit just .215 at Double-A last year, though he was only in his age-20 season. Lombard torched High-A pitching earlier in the year, earning the bump to Somerset. His strikeout rate jumped considerably with the Patriots, exceeding 25% for the first time as a professional. Lombard did manage 24 steals, while chipping in eight home runs. He’s a good bet to repeat Double-A to open next season. A strong performance could force the Yankees’ hand, especially if the Caballero/Volpe combo falters.
While Bellinger might rejoin the team, another reunion fell flat, apparently without an attempt. Cashman said the Yankees never made an offer to free agent reliever Devin Williams (h/t to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic). Williams and his former team were said to have mutual interest in a return, but he ultimately went to the cross-town rival Mets on a three-year, $51MM deal.
Williams came to the Yankees in a December 2024 trade with the Brewers. He lost the closer role a month into the season and needed an injury to Luke Weaver to get back in the mix for saves. He pitched well for a couple of months, but the Yankees went out and acquired David Bednar at the trade deadline. Bednar took over as closer upon arrival, moving Williams to a setup role. The presence of Bednar and fellow trade deadline acquisition Camilo Doval could’ve hindered the Yankees in attracting Williams, who said it “depends on the scenario” regarding whether being the closer would impact his free agency decision. The Mets had an obvious opening with Edwin Diaz opting out and hitting free agency.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images
Bellinger must be resigned. It the Yankees got to go 6 years, they must do so. Tucker definitely must remain the 2nd option if Cody goes elsewhere.
I wouldn’t sign him at all and not especially for 6 years. Look at his history. He plays well in contract years. Dodgers let him go for nothing then the Cubs not only gave him to the Yankees but paid them $5 million to take him. If you resign him then Jones is blocked and he is ready to come up.
@NY
Jones is not blocked. I’m not even convinced he deserves to be called up immediately. But Grisham is only signed for one year and the Yanks are only committed to Stanton for 2027 at the tune of $15 mil. They could let Grisham walk or cut Stanton if he has a poor or injury played 2026. Plus injuries always end up creating
Jones isnt blocked
*proceeds to name everyone blocking him and only an injury would mean he could see playing time”
@Begamin
A) I don’t think anyone will dispute me in saying Jones could benefit from me AAA seasonings considering his strikeout rate. B) Most ppl consider a prospect being blocked to be more long-term vs a season or even mid-season if they felt lthatike trading Grisham. So no, he isn’t blocked. And waiting for an injury is more of an inevitable on this team. Any injury in the OF, DH, 1B or C can easily move Jones into the picture. So no, he’s not being “blocked” in the pinion of anyone that doesn’t see 6 months as being a long time.
Dont try to redefine what being blocked means just to be right on MLBTR lol. There are too many people in front of him in the depth chart so he doesnt have a spot, thats a player being blocked.
And as far as seasoning goes, dudes 25, just wasting him away keeping him in AAA
@Beg
Never double down on stupidity bro. Blocked implies that there’s someone is entrenched at that position whether it be by length or value of contract or there performance is such that you’re not considering moving them off their spot. Grisham is only signed for 1 year and Stanton could theoretically be cut and owned just $15 mil after this season. And like I said, someone is bound to be injured and thus opening up a spot at several possible positions that could shoft guys over. And who caresthat he turns 25 in May? Judge didn’t get going until his age 25 season. David Ortiz and Juan Batista weren’t full-time until 25+. Al the Yanks should be concerned about is “is he ready” and the next 6 years once they bring him up. So no, he’s not blocked. Not enough to warrant trading anyone now.
Stop adding contingencies to what blocked means. Follow your own advice about doubling down. He IS blocked. There are players in front of him that is preventing him from being on the MLB roster. Thats what blocked means. Shifting the definition to solidify your argument is intellectually dishonest at best.
Yes yes if all these players in front of him leave the team or get hurt at some point he wont be blocked anymore thank you for the wisdom. If a player requires others to leave or get hurt to play, theyre blocked. Hope this starts to click for you im putting it in the plainest of terms. Also “juan batista” lol
@beg
So if by your definition “blocked” simply means “players in front of him, at their position” then every single prospect is “blocked” since perpetually, the mlb team will have someone at their position until they promote them either because they opened up a spot for them because they felt they were ready or an injury created a need. First, I’m not understanding why anyone feels like he’s ready. He had a good year in AAA in 67 games but he still strikes out a ton. It might be wise to invite him to the big league camp under the premise that he’s competing for a spot and then just send him down to AAA to see where he’s at in his development. Then send him to AAA to start the season and hope that he’s so freaking ggood that he forces his way into a call up. The Yanks have a GREAT problem. They have depth. They have Judge long term. They lucked up on Grisham and got 34 homers from a guy who signed for $5 mil. Let’s see if he’s the real deal. Dominguez looked good his first full season. If they bro my back Beli, even better. This is not a problem in need of a solution.
Block means theyre “an obstacle to the normal progress or functioning of something” or “make the movement or flow in (a passage, pipe, road, etc.) difficult or impossible.”. Thats the definition of the word and it applies to the situation Spencer Jones is in, and not every single prospect, as every single prospect does not have their pathway to the majors blocked and you know this. You really gotta stop trying to semantics your way around this one. Youre not smart enough to make this work and it shows whenever you, again, try to change what a word means and add contingencies to said word that conveniently cover the holes in your argument.
You not understanding why a .897 OPS in AAA at age 24 is not ready is not my problem. For all the comparisons to Joey Gallo and his pension for strikeouts, Gallo had an eerily similar OPS (.896) in AAA before his call up at age 22. Spare me the off topic tangent about how you feel about the guys blocking Jones to make it seem like Jones isnt blocked. He is, and the Yankees are spending 22 million to do it instead of fixing actual problem areas like SS and 3B
correction
*why a .897 OPS at age 24 is ready or not is not my problem
Awful take. Bellinger is the worst thing we can do. He’s just expensive enough that Hal will whine about payroll, but he’s not good enough to put us anywhere near a championship.
Tucker is a hitter that makes a difference. Spending $800m on Soto but not $400m on Tucker is clinical insanity by Hal and Cashman. I hate this ownership.
Not pleased with the current Yankees rightfielder? Tucker can’t handle left in Yankee Stadium and he certainly can’t handle center.
Tucker in left is far better than Bellinger being that Tucker’s bat is way better.
So GG defense and multiple positions by Belli with a pretty even offens isn’t good enough?
I wouldn’t say he’s way better, Bellinger has more versatility and will cost less.
Gold glove is a useless award. Belli’s offense was league average for half his career. And no, his 120 wRC+ is not good enough. Tucker and even another very good hitter will be needed.
Cost shouldn’t be a factor when we were willing to pay $800m to Soto. And yes, Tucker is way better.
While I won’t say “must”, I would like him back. I also don’t agree with the take others have about his contract years (such a BS easy take as everyone tried harder in those years anyway) and he was hurt in LA. Tucker is probably the better player though overall pedigree wise though it’s closer than people want to give Belli credit for.
I would go to 4 years max
It’s a somewhat minor point, but I think it’s important to note that Bednar DIDN’T take over as closer as soon as the Yankees traded for him. Their intent was to still let Williams close, but he then went into another bad spell that they HAD to turn to Bednar as the closer.
Williams’s second half strikeout totals were excellent, but he was still very bad overall, and had a worse ERA in the second half than he did in the first, which is shocking.
IMO I still think the Yankees need to trade for Kwan. Offering Grisham the QO was a mistake. I’m thinking they did that because they knew Bellinger wasn’t coming back and Tucker too expensive.
I think they offered it because they expected him to decline it. Which even though he wouldn’t have gotten 2 aav, he should have been able to get 45-55m deal over 3 years. Still a little surprising he didn’t chase a bigger deal. Perhaps the work stoppage in 27’ scared him away from a 3 year deal. If there is a lockout in 27’ he would have lost some of that money so he took the 1 year payday.
I think Yankees will do ok with Grisham. He was ok before and after he got away from Soto’s influence in a clubhouse. If you look at his stats he tried to be a power hitter. Once Grisham got away from him he went back to what made him MLB player.
If I recall Bednar had two non save appearances before he got his first save. He was pretty much in the mix right away.
The issue is that Williams was struggling right BEFORE they got Bednar, so it was notable that they still kept Williams as the closer after Bednar got here.
Bednar pitched in his first game in the 7th inning.
None of the high leverage guys were used in the next two games (losses to the Marlins where the Marlins were ahead for most of the games).
Then Bednar was Williams’ setup guy in the next game which Williams blew.
Then Williams blew the NEXT game.
Then Bednar saved the following game, and was the closer from that point forward.
Williams HAD to go ..he was insanely bad, shades of Ed Whitson and Sonny Gray. Totally melted in New York.
Cashman thought he was smart, I bet he was thinking another team was gonna offer Grisham, a better contract, multiple years. Maybe..blew up in his face. now, he’s stuck paying this guy $22 million, and he will most likely resort back to his .185 batting average in 2026.
You have zero clues!
Still more than you.
Debatable, MasterDebator
If you honestly think the Yankees FO offered that QO without a contingency plan if he accepted I have a nice bridge here I can sell you. It’s honestly laughable that some of you actually think people in professional positions don’t actually know how to do their jobs.
I agree. They obviously like Grisham, so they could offer him a longer term contract at a lower annual value.
Grisham was nowhere his defensive stalwart reputation last year and the bat returned to his underwhelming career mean down the stretch and when it mattered most.
It may have been partly due to his hammy, but watching Grisham bullpen jog towards balls over his head/in the gaps throughout the seasons second half has left me a bit pessimistic about what we’ll see from him in 2026.
Get bellinger resigned!..the linger you wait the more money he will get 5 yr 165…make this year’s salary 25 and defer about 30 million then go sign a 4th starter/ long man in the pen and trade Dominguez for 2 needs and let’s go!
Could look at trading bird, signing bellinger to play first.
At some point they need to play or trade Dominguez and Jones. Would balance the lineup out some if Dominguez can hit from the right side.
I think belli will get more reps at 1st with Goldie gone. If they can trade Dominguez for pitching and another OF corner infield bench bat as well then Spencer Jones could be the 4th OF
What pitcher can they get for him that’s better than they already have?
There’s a few interesting arms out there how about joe ryan? How about a package for scenes or skubal not that I think they will get dealt… how about mitch Keller? Sandy alcantara? But to answer why Dominguez could be dealt..yes he is cost controlled but you get more for him when controlled and if bellinger is resigned.. Dominguez is on the bench and he is not good defensively. Plus you have Spencer Jones coming up… can Dominguez be a stud.. yes he can butsometimes you have to make baseball trades
@Simm
Who’s “Bird” and why move Belli to 1st when you have a very cost controlled and potential star in Rice there? And why trade Dominguez after he had a pretty decent first year at age 22, and is cost controlled? You wait patiently for a patiently to get to this point and you get rid of him because he doesn’t completely light it up his first year? What’s the point then? I don’t get some of you ppl. Yanks need guys like Rice, Wells, Dominguez, Volpe,Gil and Schmidt so they can afford to splurge on 3 pitchers making $750 million, a RF and DH making $700 milling and offer $750 mil to the one that got away.
Hoping my Mets sign Bellinger, even if Alonso resigns than Bellinger can play the OF.
there are 3 things I wish my fellow Yankee fans would stop doing going into 2026. stop worshipping the shrine of Kwan. He’s a good player but if you think he’s the missing piece to unlock our post-season series if absurd and slow into the leadoff position then I direct you to his. 330 OBP which was bested by Bellinger, Grisham and Dominguez. I’d rather work thru the growing pains of Dominguez at the leadoff and in the OF than to move him for Kwan, who will likely never hit more than 15 homers nor have an OPS over. 800. He also struggled to hit lefties last year with a sub .600 OPS and sub .300 OBP in 200 PA vs lefties last year. That makes him more of a platoon guy than someone you trade major prospect assets to acquire and pencil in for 600 PA. Secondly, let’s stop counting on Lombard to assume any major position or have any major impact on 2026 until he can at least show he can hit above high A ball. I love the defense and his command of the strike zone and I’m sure the hitting will come along. Keys allow it to come along in the minors and not risk him like we did Volpe and then test him down the first moment he struggles. Lastly, let’s stop acting like Spencer Jones is a carton of cottage cheese that’s going to expire soon. he’s older because he was drafted out of college. he’s only been in the minors for 2 full seasons and some change. We all know he needs to work on limiting his strike outs, although there are plenty of guys in this day and age that size despite striking out north of 165x. Clearly that type of hitter is not what the Yankees need although we do need more impact right bats. Ppl seem to think having Judge, Grisham, Dominguez and hopefully, Beli or Tucker or whomever is a problem. It’s not a problem but if it were them is a good problem to have. There’s absolutely no reason to trade someone just to trade them. Dominguez is only 22. Grisham is only signed for 2025. Stanton is chronically injured and the Yanks are only on the hook for $15 mil in 2027 should they have justification to release him if he has a poor 2026. Attrition has shown it’s insane ability to thin thru depth rather quickly. Cashman built a team with options. Let’s not give it up.
This is a lot, my dude, but I agree in Kwan, though I dont hate him either.
Bellinger or Tucker would be udeal.
Yankee fans want us to get Tucker
Yankee haters / fraud fans want us to get Bellinger.
It’s that simple. You aren’t a Yankee fan if you want him back.
Why is that?.. Bellinger proved he can handle New York..Jury is out on Tucker, who’s also missed time and looking at a higher pay check
Because Bellinger is mediocrity and is an excuse for Hal not to spend on a real bat.
@Dynasty
Please miss me with the “Hal doesn’t want to spend” stuff. He offered Soto 3/4 of a billion not long ago. You’re like a woman who complains her mam is cheap because he bought her a Berkin two years ago but last year “only” bought her a “nice” Dior bag last year but not the much more expensive Hermes one she really wanted. It’s not my money but I don’t think Tucker is worth anywhere near the $400 mil I’m hearing, especially not based off of the 2025 season he had even if he had nagging injuries, which BTW, should be factored into things.
That’s absolutely hogwash. If you didn’t like Bellinger last season, I almost think you didn’t watch. I like Tucker, but I see bust there more especially at his price tag.
Bellinger looks like he was born to play (and succeed) in Yankee Stadium. The place is tailor made for him.
Playing 81 games in the Bronx — as opposed to Wrigley or Hollywood or Arlington — makes Belli a more productive player.
Im a die hard… I want nothing to do with Tucker at this point would rather have belli back. Its a better move for several reasons.
1. Cheaper belli 5 years 150ish vs Tucker 10 400
2. Not another long term 10 year contract.. name 1 contract that has actually been great for the team…
3. Belli plays all 3 OF positions and 1b which the yankees need and Tucker is a RF who would need to play left.
4 loss of draft pick for Tucker
5. Belli can play in NY as he is proven Tucker probably can but again how many have gotten the big contract and then not produced at the same level
For what its worth belli being older by a year or 2 its OK.. at 5 years 36 37 ok let him walk
To say fake fans want belli is totally incorrect!
Not only is the OP’s statement incorrect, it’s completely ludicrous. Like huh??? We’re not really fans if we don’t want the guy that actually played well for us, who’s dad played here, who plays more positions, and will be cheaper? Bananas.
Bellinger agent supposedly looking for 200m and 6 years. Yanks can’t go to 5 years with him. I think they are going trade route.
Now that doesn’t make any sense. If the Yanks sign Tucker, then they probably can’t sign Imai or King. If they sign Bellinger they will be in a better position to sign a starter, and they will have more $ to do so. Diaz would be a great signing for 4 years, but they’ll never do it. They’d rather cry poverty and lose. My take is win a Championship in 2026 because there might not be a 2027 season in baseball.
When have the Yanks cried Poverty as an excuse to why they didn’t sign someone. Yankee fans have become completely spoiled and out of touch with reality.
They have? Weren’t the Yankees throwing almost $800 million at Soto last season? Thankfully he turned it down. Thank god. They can offer $427 million over 10 years for Tuck then! 🤦♂️
You misread me. I’m arguing the Yanks AREN’T crying poverty.
There are teams looking for second baseman and interior do not believe Jazz is the long term plan. I think Yankee management is very down on Jazz clutch ability and baseball IQ. His trade value is at an all time high coming off the 4 war season. Philly and Seattle amongst few other teams are looking to add a second baseman. Why not move Jazz to Philly and then turn around and trade for Donovan with Arenado contract and JC Romero. Donovan to me doesn’t have Jazz flare and 5 tools but he plays the game right. Arenado can fill the 1st/3rd baseman platoon RH bat. JC Romero adds a lefty bullpen arm. The price should not be as high since Arenado is in the deal. The Yankees can’t move Jones and Dominguez especially since Bellinger is looking for 200 plus million at 6 years. So send St Louis either Luis Gil or Will Warren, Ben Hess, and a few more pitching prospects who are not scooped up in the rule 5 draft.
Then sign King to replace that arm and that puts the payroll over 300m. They can add another bat during the season as needs arises but adding Donovan and removing Jazz brings more contact as does Arenado.
@billy
I don’t think you have a clue to the temperature of the Yanks and how they feel about Jazz. In fact, I think you’re projecting your own feeling towards him. I didn’t miss that “Donovan doesn’t have the same “flare” or 5 tools that Jazz has but “plays the game the right way”. What’s the wrong way that Jazz plays it? Too “urban” for you? And if the Yanks have a problem with his “clutch ability” then they should have that same energy for several other hitters that choked this post-season. But just the suggestion that the Yanks should trade a guy who was a 30/30 4 WAR player, who’s a better defender at 2b for a guy who was a 10/3 3 WAR player and a very average to slightly below average defender is crazy. The fact that you want to send Gil or Warren, right now 2/5ths of our currently thin rotation, to acquire Donovan AND… AND.. take on the contract of Arrenado ($42 mil) when we have McMahon at 3b currently owed $32 is beyond insane. Donovan and Kean are each nice players and I love good contact low strike out guys. But that being said…Jazz is a really, really good player who has room to get better and despite struggling in the playoffs I don’t think is overwhelmed by the bright lights. I’m 70% sure the Yanks will try and extend him. He’s made for Yankee stadium. Can hit and defend and play 3 infield positions and two OF positions. No need to trade him. Gil, when healthy, can be a really good mid to back end guy who can give you ace like outings. Warren is cost controlled and tied the league in starts at a 4ish rate. That’s desirable by any team. Yanks need him for now
no need to make any of those moves you suggested.
The Yanks can also trade for Kwan if they don’t want to go into the season with Dominguez and Jones but honestly I would let them play and see how it goes.