The Yankees have made multiple offers to Cody Bellinger in recent weeks. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports that the most recent had an average annual value north of $30MM. However, the sides are still held up on contract length.
Kuty writes that Bellinger’s camp continues to push for a seven-year contract. It’s not known how many years the Yankees are willing to go, but it has thus far apparently been less than seven. Jon Morosi of The MLB Network suggested earlier this week that the team was more comfortable with a four- or five-year commitment.
The rumored proposal from New York would put Bellinger in the range of the most expensive bats to sign this offseason, at least on an annual basis. Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies for five years and $150MM. Pete Alonso received a five-year, $155MM deal from Baltimore. If the Yankees get their wish regarding the contract length, Bellinger’s deal likely ends up looking a lot like the Schwarber and Alonso pacts. MLB Trade Rumors settled on a five-year, $140MM contract in our list of the top 50 free agents.
As Kuty notes, a contract exceeding $30MM a year would make Bellinger one of the highest-paid outfielders in the league. Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts (if he still counts) are the only outfielders making more than $30MM per season. It would also be a significant jump from his recent contracts, as the market has treated him with trepidation in previous years.
After the Dodgers moved on from Bellinger following the 2022 season, the Cubs scooped him up on a one-year, $17.5MM deal. Bellinger rewarded Chicago with a 20/20 campaign, but it wasn’t enough to land a long-term contract. He ended up back with the Cubs on a three-year, $80MM deal with opt-outs after each season. Bellinger didn’t opt out after a middling 2024 and was then traded to New York. The Yankees were able to land him just by sending over Cody Poteet and agreeing to pay all but $5MM left on Bellinger’s contract.
Bellinger unsurprisingly opted out of the final year of his deal after a strong season in New York. Regardless of where he ends up, he should be able to top the $25MM he was slated to make in 2026. Bellinger slugged 29 home runs last year, the most since his NL MVP campaign in 2019. He added 13 steals and nearly drove in 100 runs. Bellinger also provided stellar defense, with both Defensive Runs Saved (+11) and Outs Above Average (+7) praising his work in the field. Bellinger logged 300+ innings at all three outfield positions. He also made a handful of appearances at first base. The Yankees didn’t need his services in the infield with Paul Goldschmidt on board, but he could be an asset there if needed.
In addition to the considerable counting stats, Bellinger also made some improvements under the hood in 2025. He bumped his hard-hit rate to 37.9%. That mark is just above league average, but it’s a big improvement from recent seasons. Bellinger’s 31.4% hard-hit rate in 2023 was among the reasons he failed to secure a long-term deal after his first year with the Cubs. While he hit .307 that season, it was likely fueled by a career-high .319 BABIP. His xBA (.268) was nearly 40 points lower than his actual mark. Bellinger’s hard-hit rate improved to a still-underwhelming 32.9% in 2024, while his bat speed slipped to 69 mph, which ranked in the 13th percentile.
Bellinger also made more contact this past season. His 13.7% strikeout rate was the best mark of his career, as was his 7.6% swinging-strike rate. Bellinger ranked 26th among all qualified hitters with a 91% zone contact rate. He’d only been above 87% once in his career before 2025. Average batted ball metrics combined with elite contact skills could portend continued success for the 30-year-old Bellinger, particularly if he stays in New York. He slashed an uninspiring .241/.301/.414 on the road last year.
5 years $155 million should be done in 48 hours
His baseball savant page doesn’t look too promising.
His 2025 rate percentile:
xBA .254 (52nd)
xwOBA .322 (49th)
xSLG .416 (51st)
Avg exit velocity: 88.3 (24th)
Hard Hit% 37.9 (26th)
The past three years his average exit velocity have been between 22nd and 24th percentile snd his hard hit percentage have checked in at 10th, 15th, and 26th. That’s pretty baffling to say that and for him to be thought of as a 30m/yr player.
It’s good he provides value on the bases and with the glove because the bat doesn’t look like something worthy of spending that kind of money on.
I really don’t get why a rich team would give Bellinger 30m/yr when Tucker is unsigned and likely feeling disappointed on the offer front.
Boras-inger wants Pete Alonso money for Belli, but compare the aggregate last 5 seasons and Pete looks like the better bargain for the 5/155.
Alonso only trailed Bellinger in Stolen Bases.
He out-WAR’d him 2021-2025, out homered him, out RBI’d him, out OPS’d him.
And if you compare their playoff performances, Pete has an OPS of 1.003 while Belli has only .743. Clutch?
So Belli’s underlying numbers ( hard hit rate and others) have been going in the wrong direction, but centerfield is a much tougher position than first base except for the fact that Belli’s wheels 4 years from now and after will not be what they are now, and he’ll be a first baseman without as much power as Alonso.
He needs to take rhe money for 5/150 now.
The Yankees are close to being tired of bidding against themselves
You would think that Bellinger and Boras would have learned their lesson from the last TWO times he was a FA and got nowhere near what they thought he was worth. Even though Hoyer the idiot bailed them out the 2nd time with dumb offer late. Here’s hoping Jed keeps it in is pants this time. Maybe that’s what Boras is hoping for.
Don’t worry Unc, Jed has nothing there to keep in. His bawls are in a tiny jar soaking in marmalade in his wife’s purse. Tom is the same way. And Carter is a useless yes man.
Jed isn’t even sniffing 4/$120 for Bellinger, much less 5/$150. Nor should he be.
I looked that woman in her eye sockets and said…
You’re exactly right. Doesn’t mean he isn’t seriously considering it though.
I love when Key and Peele are in space but he still looks around…
(Looks left, looks right)
Beeeeeiiiiitttttcccchhhhh.
One of my favorite Key and Peele skits
You called her a bish though?
Same. They had some hit and miss but when they hit it was usually great. Especially the football ones. I wish they would do a Superbowl special like with the Seattle Seahawks and NE Patriots. They played Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch. Highly recommend watching if you haven’t already.
Bellinger has three series-winning hits in a winner take all game (2018 NLCS, 2020 NLCS, 2021 NLDS), only two other players in MLB history have done that. Clutch isn’t just total numbers.
If it’s not, might as well just give Kyle Tucker the 10 year, $350 million with an opt out or two. Enough games already.
I think Tucker can be had for $300 million, maybe the Blue Jays or Mets? I am all for the Cubs spending more money, it just won’t happen this off-season.
I’m actually thinking it’s a four year offer at most at this AAV (if true). Five or more years at $30m makes zero sense when there are no other suitors willing to go that far in terms of both AAV and years.
I could see Toronto, Mets and Yankees considering Tucker long term. Defining long term as a minimum of five years.
I could see Toronto and Yankees considering Belli long term.
I could see Dodgers or Cubs making a very high AAV offer of two years with an opt-out, Dodgers for either of them Cubs for Tucker not Belli.
For now, my prediction is Tucker for ten years $300 million to Blue Jays or Mets. Earlier, I considered the Dodgers, Yankees, Giants and Angels for a ten year Ticker deal, but Blue Jays and Mets just seem most likely. Yankees slightly less just cause I think they’ll get Bellii.
Belli five years $155 million to Yankees.
I think both will be wrapped up within 7 days.
If that’s the case then the Yankees should be involved truthfully. Tuck is definitely worth that.
Thank God you actually don’t run a major league franchise.
And why is that? Please explain…
Give Bellinger 24 hours to take it or leave it. If he refuses go trade for Kwan. A great left fielder and most importantly a lead off hitter.
I dont think Kwan is a free agent.
Trade for not sign.
All you have to do is let Dominguez play or Spencer Jones. Sign Bo Bichette. And then you could make a whole bunch of small moves on top of that and restructure the team. End of story goodbye Cody and Boras
Dominguez does not look that good and jones is a huge question mark but that’s probably better to risk that instead of 30 million bellinger
Bellinger’s ability to play first gives the team options should Jones stick and instantly show he can play in the majors. Thus, I don’t see it one or the other.
And Bichette instead of Volpe inprovea the team.
Let Bellinger walk. Pivot to Bichette.
And weaken your diviaion opponent.
He said, “go trade for Kwan”. Tis been reported multiple times since before the trade deadline .that Cleveland is willing to deal him.
Kwan’s just an average hitter now and has only two years of control left.
Kwan is unlikely to be traded because Cleveland places a high value on him, and he’s coming off of a down season. He had a 99 wRC+, which is almost exactly an average hitter (also his rate for 2023). Which isn’t great for a left fielder. He of course is a top rate defender, but a barely average hitter in LF isn’t worth as much as what Cleveland wants.
Kwan was likely hampered by injuries last year. He has chronic hamstring issues and at one point had a hand injury. He probably should be rested more often to get more out of his bat (that is likely why they refuse to play him in CF). If properly rested I think he’s probably a significantly above average hitter. Cleveland’s FO has a history of holding out on guys like him and waiting until their value is at peak – mostly with pitchers, but you can also see this with Lindor, Victor Martinez, and Shin-Soo Choo.
The Yankees would be insane to pay what Cleveland is likely asking. Nothing in their history says they would.
Kwan and Duran’s value take a big hit with both available. Once either the market gets set by a trade of one (especially if Kwan is traded first), the other will be dealt. With both on the market, the returns are being suppressed as teams hear about the cost of A, hang up and call on the other. Both need to be traded this season to maximize the return (in Duran’s case also due to the log jam and in Kwan’s additionally because he will get too expensive for the Guardians).
Why do all Yankee fans assume every team is just a minor league org for them. You would have to blow Cleveland away for them to part with Kwan. Probably both of Jones, and Dominguez, plus just to get them to consider moving Kwan.
That’s clearly an overpay by a lot even with the inflated Yankee prospect hype. But yeah the Yankees fans are the worst.
Phillies fans say, “Hold my beer” and as they heave.you over the railing…..you.notice.the.fn.beer.mug was.empty anyways!
Every team’s fsn base does this. Look at “,my” club Boston. The team had so many top prospects but after just one year, Anthony looks true to the hype, Campbell still looks lost to us fans regardless of how he does this winter and who knows on Mayer due to injuries? Add in Tolle and Early’s hype and you get the idea. Also if The Password was such a prized minor league, wouldn’t he have been used for a better starter than a third, fourth or fifth? Garcia’s work last year had Sox fans dreaming like Yankee fans did with Dominguez and are still fantasizing about Jones …
Clown comment. Now hold my beer so I can throw you over a railing.
Kwan would cost significantly more than he would ever give the team. Maybe the most overrated player in baseball.
Agreed. No team is even giving Bellinger 6 years. I doubt any team would give him 5/$150.
Belli ain’t getting 7 years. Him and Boras need to quit living in dreamland. Of course Boras built this fantasy world where all his players are touted as the second coming of Babe Ruth and Sandy Koufax. The off season drags on as he tries to play each interested team against themselves. He’s a pariah.
Kenny
Nothing wrong with Boras, he is a good salesperson. He would be even better if he could speak publicly with more humility. He has gambled really poorly for several players like Monty but he has done really well for far more clients. I don’t like Scott’s public comments because they are insulting to the ordinary working stiffs who are fans, but I would not say he is living in dreamland. He has a large team of attorneys, analysts and trainers, and they are mostly – but not always – successful. I completely get why he annoys many fans, but it is 90 percent because he does his job well and 10 percent because he is so arrogant.
Boras has ruined baseball.
Overreaction. You’re right, Belli ain’t getting seven years. but asking for seven is how you get him 6 when everyone wants to give him 5 or less. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Bui at the end of the day, most boras clients get paid. Sometimes, in recent years, it takes a short-term pillow contract and a year longer to get the big deal.
Wrong! The Yankees start at 3 and Boris starts at 7. The Yanks go to 5 max and Boris holds out for 7 hoping they add that 6th year which the Yanks should absolutely say no thanks and walk.
Billy, it depends on whether the $30m AAV is accurate. That suggests just a 3 year likely initial offer.
If I’m the Yankees I’d offer 3/96 or 7/154… their choice.
And a 24 hour timer
Maybe he will sign for 3/96 with an opt-out every off-season, but I stand with my prediction of 5/155. I think that is the market price. Judge is probably good for five more years, so I see no reason for the Yankees to no go five years with Belli.
He’s got lots of suitors. That would just get an eff you and we’ll see what I tell my other clients from the agent.
Exactly goodbye Bellinger. Don’t let the door hit you in the donkey on the way out. You’re delusional if you think you’re gonna have the same kind of productive year outside of the Yankee Stadium. And batting in front of Aaron Judge.
If I am the Yankees, I offer 5/155. The Dodgers maybe offer 2/75 with an opt out. I think the Mets don’t want Belli. So if he gets big money it has to be the Yankees or Blue Jays.
Mets likely match the Dodgers offer given the short length so he could decide on not having to move or go back to where he started. That said, an offer like that would probably be used to go to the Yankees again to hammer out their best long term offer. Too much money to risk a poor year. While the Yankees will likely still negotiate next year once Grishom is off the books, imagine if Dominguez and Jones both have great 26 seasons. Suddenly, even the Yankees are out on a then four plus year big money deal. This remains his best shot to get that five year deal at a good AAV.
Forget the Mets, they’re not swimming in this end of the pool.
It’s hard to say he’s not worth it, and he’s a Taylor made Yankee. But I will say I’d like him to be more durable. We already have Stanton who is made of glass
It’s actually pretty easy to say because it would be true.
I have problem giving him the money or years, just get it done. This BS is annoying already.
Tbh, I have no issue playing Jasson and Jones and trying to sign Bo at this point.
Heck try for Tucker! Just get away from the Boras crap.
I have *no* problem I meant.
Yeah ok. You’ll want him gone by year 3 and he’ll have 4 more seasons left.
If they sign Bo, Jazz is your LFer. 3B is already filled
Bo will play SS since Volpe is out currently. We can figure that out as we go. McMahon doesn’t hit enough to play everyday.
Oh yea, forgot volpe wont be ready to start the season. Bo can fill in there for awhile, maybe longer.
McMahon won’t be an everyday player. They’ve already got the platoon and pinch hitter on the roster, Rosario/Caballero. Too many pieces in place there to shuffle so they could stuff Bo into 3B everyday. Much cleaner putting Jazz in the OF where they have a need and he’s played before imo
Start looking for other options.
Pass. Make a trade.
For whom? There is no one available on the trade market that is close to as good as Bellinger. Pony up for Bellinger or Tucker or settle for a second rate player.
10cent
The best outfielder on the market is Duran. While I would like to see Red Sox and Yankees make a deal, there is a better chance that Greenland invades the U.S. (note my reversal there was not accidental)
thank you for using the proper pronoun, leftfield…
Wait what? For him? Seems like a massive overpay
Man I’m so tired of BorAss
Seems like a lot.
5 years $140 is my offer. Take it or leave it 😒
$140? Are you going to have him detail your car?
/ :p
If they are offering him 5 years at $30 million he should take that immediately.
I still say this reunion is best for both sides, but if he’s not taking an offer above 30 mil annually I think you gotta walk away and find someone else.
might as well give tucker for that
Except that Tucker is asking for $35 to $40M, and loner than seven years.
Doubt he is getting seven years either.
maybe it’s time for the Yankees to drawa line. 5/$31 per is more than adequate. Bellinger is a good player, but he’s not worth even the numbers they must be talking now. Out it on the table, leave it out thee, shop elsewhere
I think Bellinger wants $200M *and* as close to or anything in excess of $30M AAV, point blank period. Whether that’s over 5, 6 or 7 years, I don’t think he cares. He wants the 7th year because 6 x $30M+ = less than $200M.
If they offered him $33.35M x 6 = $200.1M he’d sign immediately.
I think Belli is asking 7/210 but will take 5/155
Bellinger is not worth $30 mil/yr. Especially when he hits 35 y/o.
It’s only time. And money. What’s the rumpus?
No reason to get impatient before the end of January.
Well, Alonso got 5/155 so based on ego alone, BelliBoras have to be asking for over $200 for however many years. At that point, I think NY passes.
I don’t think Belli has a big ego, he just wants as much as possible. Boras has a big ego, but he gets paid well no matter what as long as there is a deal.
Owners want to make as much money as possible and they’re successful businessmen. Players want to make as much money as possible and they’re greedy and ego driven.
So which one is it ?
Iggy
I think he is just being sarcastic. Owners have an even bigger ego than agents and players. My experience is that most successful people have a big ego, not all, but most.
I’d be surprised if you could find many MLB players without huge egos. Same in the multi-million range of musicians, authors, and sheet plastic salespeople. MLB is competitive: you don’t just have to great, you have to greater than your opponent.
I agree that Bellinger doesn’t get 7 years. He has not been the model of consistency. Alonso hasn’t been consistent either in BA, and maybe OBP, but he has been in showing up (games per year) and hitting the ball over the fence. Which is what teams were looking for and pricing him on. I agree that 5 years is pushing it for him.
Hmm 30 for 7 years or 40 for 10. Some choice.
Not only has Boras misjudged the market again but I suspect he forgot there is a looming lockout coming. If there is REAL discussion for a spending floor and a salary cap there is NO WAY anyone is going to give out a big money contract unless that guy is Ohtani, Judge, Soto or Skubal.
I think a lot of people forget about some “looming lockout” because thankfully certain MLBTR commenters aren’t able to go all sky-is-falling mode on them every time baseball is mentioned in real life.
Really? Why did the Jays give Vladdy a $500M extension and Cease a $210M contract when they could’ve signed them both for pennies on the dollar because, according to you, players are desperate and afraid of a possible work stoppage? It’s a silly narrative.
Boras isn’t going to win with every single one of his clients but he does win the majority of the time for them and there is still plenty of offseason left.
Let the Mets take another bad contract from the Yankees, Soto not worth it and now Belli wants a ridiculous deal. I am a Yankee man and do love Belli but not at that price. 5 years max!
Pando, Soto not worth it? I bet that a year ago you were gung ho for the Pinstripes to sign him at any cost because he is one of the few generational talents out there, and his ‘25 numbers back that up. Bad contract? Hardly. Look at the Mets attendance numbers from last year. They won that bet.
Will the Mets sign Bellinger? Not unless it’s a short term deal. My guess is that he’s their second choice after Tucker. And if they don’t go in that direction they’ll pivot to Bader as a short term solution until the kids are ready in ‘27.
“IF” the kids are ready in ’27. How long did it take for Baty to be ready (if he even is really ready)? Vientos? Mauricio?
Also worth considering: If there is a work stoppage, the minor leaguers will most likely not be playing/developing in ’27 as they are now unionized, unlike previous stoppages. And the union that represents them is the MLBPA.
Since I opened that can or worms and you are an attorney, I have to ask: does the MLBPA representing both major and minor leaguers not represent a conflict of interest, here? Couldn’t a minor leaguer make a case that his interest is being harmed by honoring the major leaguers strike, as he is losing out on the coaching and development he would otherwise get?
Agree. The Mets would only sign Tucker or Bellinger if the price is right and the price isn’t going to be right. They’ll pivot to Bader as a placeholder.
I wonder if Grisham is regretting taking the qualifying offer right about now.
Grisham got the most he ever had a chance of getting taking the q o!! He is a 12 m a year player.
5th starters last offseason got $15M. I can’t recall a single player in the last decade who, coming off of a 3+ win season, settled for $12M. Maybe 15 years ago he was a $12M player.
Also, if there’s such discrepancy between his value and the QO why did the Yankees offer him a QO? A lot of opinions here concerning salary seem to be based off of feels more than the market.
Hits well in Yankee stadium, has no issue playing under the fan and media scrutiny of NY, can play any OF position or 1B, has no apparent primadonna / clubhouse issues.
He will be 30 this year, a seven year deal takes him through his age 36 season – not 40
Judge will be playing his age 34 season this year, the window for a championship during the Judge years is the next 7 years.
Signing Bellinger improves the chances of a championship in that window.
Not my money, but if it were I’d say Just do it.
Give Bellinger the 7 years and then figure out how else to surround Judge with a cast that can bring a championship to the Bronx sooner than later.
Oh so give Bellinger top money as if he was a top outfielder in the game which he’s not and then hamstring the rest of the roster. I really think these comments are from non yankee fan because there is not one sane yankee fan that I know would even consider going 6 years for this guy! I love him as a player but can’t stand the thought we will be stuck with another bad contract taking up a roster spot after year 4 and then they won’t be able to make other roster moves due to payroll restrictions! Hard pass after 5 years. Let the Mets take him.
So 2 years, $61 million?
This post tells us only ONE thing: that it came from the Yankees. Without saying the number of years, it really means nothing. $30 million over one year? LMAO. $30 million over 6 years? Done deal.
ZZZZZZ…
I have no problem with the Yankees paying Bellinger $300m/7 years…
Bellinger holding everything up for the Yanks..ridiculous
Maybe it’s Tucker or Bo holding everything up.
For the Giants maybe, not the Yankees. Although both teams are in on Tucker.
6/176 should get it done!
6 years is insane!!!!
Absolutely no way I go 7 on Bellinger.
@Therealeman
That’s a disaster.
Crush… crushh…. crush…. crush…?
I give it to Cashman, if there are two things he excels in, it is pitching….. and waiting. This dude could win a blinking contest with a Woolly Mammoth frozen in ice.
Thanks for the complement junior. Not that I give any value to what u say
Way “cool” analogy, Clipper. I may steal that one and be sure to credit you. I lol’ed. We used to call it a staring contest (NY suburbs, late ’60’s through ’70’s).
1 year $30M
Another pipe dream by Cody. He must be smoking that good stuff again.
So a lot of you don’t like my Kwan idea. What about Bryan Reynolds? What are your suggestions??
@mlbnyyfan
Kwan would be a good fit in New York.
Just go get Julio Rodriguez from the Mariners. Should only take a few prospects….
@Ignorant Son-of-a-b
No, M’s were super close to going to the WS so they should load up and beat those Blue Jays and then sweep the Dodgers and go onto build a Mariner dynasty for 10 years.
Okay, I got a bit out of hand. Maybe just win the West for a few more years and that should be good enough…
Reynolds has been in decline for the last two years, both at the plate and in the field. He is no longer even a first division level starter.
This dude is absolutely insane, he’s not a $30+ AAV player lol. Gotta be high during the entire negotiation process or something.
Mike Yastrzemski literally had better stats over a 4 year period of time.
even the angels are smart enough to give him seven years
not
If he’s offered $30M AAV, he should take it before they change their minds.
This is insane. If they are over 30m, say 32m at 5 years well they have to be the dumbest organization. He’s just not worth that and it cripples the Yankees chance to add onto the roster in other areas. So 5 years at 130m is crazy but the fact that he wants more years is insane and as a fan I would be static if they walked away and let Dominguez and Jones battle it out for LF. Then take that money and invest it in other areas.
I dont think you could oay me 30 million dollars to watch every Bellinger at bat this upcoming year. Well maybe u can talk me into it
Other teams are looking at Bellinger and sensing a Yankee Stadium mirage. It’s hard to see any other team offering more than, say, 5/150. If the Yanks are in that range – and it seems that they are – Bellinger would be wise to sign. Maybe Boras could coax a sixth-year club option with a $10-15 million buyout, just to up the total guaranteed figure above Schwarber and Alonso.
Belli is asking to be paid as if he’s an impact bat with defensive skills, rather than a complementary offensive piece with defensive skills….and thats a big difference in years and AAV….a 6th year club option with a 5/150 seems to be right…..
7/$210M? Is that a joke? I’d rather pay schwarber over 5 years and even let him play LF over Bellinger at this price.
They can have him at that amount.
I am guessing its 3 years 93 million or so w a team option for 35 w 5 million buy out
That crazy talk, lively up yourself
They can have him. Tucker or Bader to the Giants please.
Who is going to gamble on 7 years for this guy ? He is highly likely to revert to form and become an albatross for whatever team signs him. I hope it is the Yankees
AfiA
“He is highly likely to revert to form and become an albatross ”
Why do you believe that?
JuanUribeJazzHands:
Aside from last year, he has had exactly ONE other season with a WAR above 2 in the past six years
It’s total dollars more than AAV and years
It always is
I’m sure Bellinger would “settle” for 5/$200 instead of 7/$210.
For example
Is that what FG says? 😜
If it’s front-loaded with a big signing bonus, 5/200 would make sense for him. If back-loaded, take the extra $10M and two years.
No
It’s what understanding finance says
Assuming equal payments across the life of the contract
7/$210 has a present value of about $174 million
5/$200 has a PV of $173 million
Basically equal. With the second giving Bellinger a chance to earn a bit more over the last 2 years.
I don’t think the Yankees are held up over the total guarantee. They might be okay with paying their taxes if it means he will take 4-5 years. The FO and fans alike do not want this man in uniform past 2030.
Cashman, unlike most fans, knows enough to know it’s not about years, it’s about money. It’s always about money
They should be happy to sign him for 20 years at $14 million a year (same PV as 7/$210 or 5/$200) if they’re willing to sign him to one of those other contracts
I know you like to argue a lot every chance you get so I won’t engage. Just know it’s about years. Thank you
If his rumored AAV numbers are close to reality and they sign beli over tucker, im gonna be pisssssssed!
Tucker is going to cost at least 150% of Belli’s contract.
Don’t be. 4-5 years vs 7 is a huge difference maker. Heck I’d give him 45M if he would take 3 years.
Hah looks like I was right. 4/140. Many laughed. Wrian Washman gets some of these correct.
Redsox seem brilliant right now
as the Mets have had the worst off season ever, signing Bellinger would certainly be something to take the sting away. I love that he can play both of and 1b I think he can be had for 5/150. I dont think Kyle Tucker is worth the money everyone is talking about.
My how the Yankees of fallen. Scared to spend money and having to chase players now. There was a time they would have given him two days and moved on to signed someone else. There were some good options on the table, now very few. Cashman has butched this off season for them.
What were the good options? Lol
PAY THE MAN!!!!!! If Cashman wants to win like he says he does, he would sign bellinger, trade away either jasson Dominguez or spencer jones with other prospects, and get a starter
Forget this, move on. Way way to much to commit to a guy who may not produce 5 WAR ever again.
Pivot to Bregman
Bregman isn’t worth what he thinks he is…he’s left his best offensive years behind in Houston and now his age and injuries will deplete his contributions on both offense and defense going forward….another example of a ballplayer grossly over valuing himself….
He is not worth the money he thinks he deserves..
Overrated player
Cody is going to Pittsburgh lol
When a team is willing to pay $30M/year for a 30-year-old outfielder who, while certainly versatile with the glove, is maybe a slightly above-average offensive producer, they are not serious about being a championship caliber club. If they were, they would have prioritized an SP acquisition like Imai and allocate funds towards that direction, not offense.
Don’t totally disagree with your post, but Imai was boom or bust and his physical stature didn’t scream boom opportunity…..Japanese baseball is more or less AAA (there are some good ballplayers though) level and pitchers pitch once a week so stamina becomes an issue.
As far as Belli is concerned, comparitively, do your think Tucker is worth $$$400 million and 6-7 years also?…he’s 1 year younger and has been hurt in seasons past also….baseball salaries and value have changed so much, all is justified if the acquiring team wins….especially the WS…..mountains of cash come in….
Okay, yeah, Imai was just an example. Maybe a bad one. Point is, the overvaluing of OF personnel is frustrating. Grisham’s qualifying offer was nuts, and the idea that the FO is willing to part with $30M+ for however many years for Bellinger is, at least to me, an atrocious idea. No, Dominguez is not exactly Mantle, and Jones very well could flop in spring training. But to prioritize these positions so highly whilst by and large just accepting that the rotation is probably going to be limping out of the gate boggles my mind. It just doesn’t seem like a winning process, especially considering that the OF will basically be the same as last season. None of these moves are upgrades, and none of them last year were capable of competing with TOR, which was an elite team. I do however think that some of the bullpen moves have been okay, with the exception of letting Weaver go. That was a mistake to me.
Sure BELLY-BOY had a great year and deserves to opt out and get more cheddar, everyone sees that, and his hard hit rate and all other stats including the ones involving the results like BA, Homers and RBI, all improved exponentially.
But….. and it’s a BIG BUTT, baby got back….
If Bellinger didn’t improve his stats and stayed where he was at in 2024 or was only slightly better than ‘24, that would have spoken volumes because in NY and Yankee stadium you have the ability to hit at your best. Between the short porch in RF to hitting in front of or in the middle or behind of the type of lineup that the Yankees throw out every night makes anyone of their hitters better. It’s the type of lineup you have to pick your poison with, do I pitch to judge or Bellinger or whomever else. When someone like the retired Brett Gardner is hitting 25/35 homers a year here and there and guys in the past who didn’t show power are now smacking 15/25 over the fence while playing in NY, it’s not the food or the shoes, it’s the environment and it’s participants and his teammates that are helping him to play just a little better.
Last year if Bellinger played for the Rays, you could theoretically take away 5/9 homers, 20/30 rbi and maybe his hard hit rate is more like years past,
Because, when someone like Bellinger doesn’t have protection in the lineup on a consistent basis he isn’t going to get fast balls to hit if he even gets anything to hit that night. He is gonna get breaking stuff and harder to barrel type pitches all night long which is going to by default decrease his stats.
So under the hood, Bellinger does deserve more money to be a Yankee, for sure.. but he isn’t worth the Tucker, Scwarber money. Side note: Scwarbs deserved his 5 and 150, Alonso does not. Alonso should have been a 4 year $100 million deal at most. Or if he wanted his precious fifth year, ok, here is how I’ll crack it out, Pete :
4 years $100 million guaranteed. Then, here is your fifth year should YOU choose to accept it, it’s a player option… you get your base salary of $25 million making the potential pact 5 years $125 million guaranteed and I’ll give you a chance to not only make the $155 million Baltimore moronically gave you but exceed it. That’s right you heard it here Pete, I’ll give you the chance to make not only more money that exceeds the total contract length and money you received but I’ll give you a chance to make what you think you’re worth EVERY YEAR.
Each year your base salary will be $25million. But you have the chance to make 5-10 million extra each season you play. To make the incentives, all you have to do each year is A: Bat no lower than .259, hit no less than 35 homers and drove in no less than 95rbi each year & have an OBP of no lower than .339 ( that’s to earn the $5 million making your annual salary the $30million you received by the
Baltimorons ), to earn the remaining 5 million per season, you have to do that each year consistently without missing the mark each year you play for us here is Baltimoron land.
If you do that, you will receive a check in the amount of $25million the day you walk out of Baltimore clubhouse for the last time.
Anyway, Bellinger isn’t Tucker or Scwarbs… he is in a strange tier with Alonso just below them.
My top offer to Bellinger would be 5 years $25 million per with the same structured deal incentive based.
I don’t see the problem with incentive based contracts, they’re good for all involved.
As an O’s fan, I love it when the Yankees sign these long term overpriced / undervalued contracts. Please overpay Bellinger. He is a replacement player away from Yankee stadium, where they play half their games.
It’s like, we’re almost out from under the Stanton Albatross, quick sign another one.
Bluejays dont need Bo or Tucker if their asking prices remain too high. I rather them save money, focus on the trade deadline and next year. Sometimes the FA prices are far too high.
Soto, Judge, Trout, Betts…..Bellinger. Snicker.
Don’t do it. He is too streaky.
Was this article revamped to add “Above” in there? I thought it read 30 AAV couple days ago?
If it’s going to take six or seven years to sign Bellinger, the Yankees should move on and sign Tucker. Tucker’s AAV will be higher, but he’s two years younger. Over six or seven years one can reasonably expect that the $/WAR for Tucker will be in excess of Bellinger’s. Yes, Tucker has had some injuries (as has Bellinger) But take a look at these bWAR numbers over the last five seasons.
Total Mean Median
Player A 25.6 5.12 5.3
Player B 11.8 2.36 2..2
Player C 24.8 4.96 5.3
A is Tucker. B is Bellinger. C is Juan Soto.
Bellinger made $27.5 million last season. $30 million is a small movement, not a “significant jump” in salary.