This offseason has not gone as many fans, free agents, and their super-agents thought that it would. The glacial pace of the “hot stove” season has left many people in the baseball industry curious. Questioning whether or not this offseason is being affected by extenuating circumstances. Many fans believe that the potential impending lockout after the 2026 season is affecting the market’s lack of movement. And for the New York Yankees, this offseason has seemingly been all about the courtship of Cody Bellinger. Yet, despite the clear heavy focus on Bellinger, the Yankees have yet to make any serious progress towards a new contract. That said, with reports that the Yankees have made two separate offers that have both been seemingly rejected, and that Bellinger’s camp is still looking for more, it’s time for the Yankees to say goodbye to Cody Bellinger.

YANKEES BIDDING AGAINST THEMSELVES

At the time of this writing, the latest reports from the Bellinger camp are that the Yankees are offering $30 million a season and more than the initial offer of 3-4 years. And yet, this new offer still doesn’t seem to be enough to sway Cody and his super agent, Scott Boras, into accepting the deal. It seems that Boras and Bellinger are seeking seven years with at least $30 million per season. Should these numbers be accurate, the Yankees need to steer clear of the thirty-year-old. While Cody clearly fits the prospective needs for the Yankees, at those levels of contractual years, should make the Yankees wary.

It was not long ago that the New York Yankees were in a similar position with another player coming off a good season, in DJ LeMahieu. During that offseason, the Yankees heavily courted DJ at the exclusion of everyone else that offseason, until after LeMahieu was reacquired. Much like this offseason, where the Yanks seem to be solely focused on resigning Cody Bellinger. And like the dumpster fire that the DJ LeMahieu contract became, Bellinger at six or seven years will devolve into that same type of contract. The other aspects of why the Yankees need to walk away from Bellinger from a contractual perspective are that they have offered two contracts to the Cody camp, and there has seemed to be no one else to even have made a single offer to Bellinger. Thus, the Yankees seem to be bidding against themselves for Bellinger’s services, and that never bodes well for the eventual contract.

LEFTY HEAVY LINEUP

This offseason, the Yankees’ front office has made very few assertions about the team and its eventual direction. One thing that was said by Brian Cashman, the Yankees’ General Manager, is that the Yanks are too left-handed heavy in their lineup. However, their main offseason focus is on another left-handed bat. If the statement made by Cashman is to be truly believed, and not viewed as a bargaining tactic against Bellinger, then the Yankees should avoid re-signing the left-handed star. Obviously, stating publicity that the team is too lefty-heavy to then only be seemingly interested in adding another lefty bat to the lineup might seem like a counterintuitive and oxymoronic kind of statement from the Yankees’ GM. However, again, the statement felt more like a bargaining tactic than an actual belief by the organization.

Even if the Yankees weren’t to sign Bellinger, the lineup would feature lefties starting at catcher (Austin Wells), first base (Ben Rice), second base (Jazz Chisholm Jr), third base (Ryan McMahon), center field (Trent Grisham), and even their backup catcher (JC Escarra) would be left-handed. Adding Bellinger back into that mix would make for six out of nine starting lineup positions being occupied by left-handed batters. This lefty-heavy Yankee lineup would feature just three righties in Aaron Judge (right field), Giancarlo Stanton (designated hitter), and whoever is playing shortstop. If the Yankees are going to find success in 2026, a balanced lineup will be a more advantageous route for the team to follow.

BETTER ALTERNATIVES

Cody Bellinger provides New York a level of versatility that no other outfielder on the market truly offers. Yet, the Yankees don’t necessarily need that versatility at this juncture. As presently constructed, if the season were to begin tomorrow, Jasson Dominguez (a switch-hitter) would likely be the Opening Day starting left fielder. And while Dominguez’s offense at this moment won’t be confused for that of Bellinger’s, it’s something that could develop. At least in part, if you believe that JDom can’t hit lefties, then you find a righty to platoon him with on the free agent market. Or better yet, give the once top prospect the run to make the position his own without looking over his shoulder for someone coming to replace him. And if the Yankees’ managing general partner, Hal Steinbrenner, is so concerned about having a payroll under $300 million, Dominguez is going to cost you significantly less money than Bellinger. Jasson would likely cost the Yankees at least $30 million a season less.

The other alternative is actually the better and younger outfield option, but the more expensive option, Kyle Tucker. At no point in this offseason slog have the Yankees even been said to have done their due diligence on the free agent outfielder. Since Tucker’s rookie season of 2018, Kyle has been the better player. The counting stats of hits, home runs, and RBIs go in favor of Cody Bellinger. However, the more advanced statistics and even the old school slash line favor Kyle Tucker. (See the comparative graphic below for the side-by-side comparison.) So then the question must be asked, “Why does the Yankees’ front office have a love affair with Cody Bellinger, given that there are better options out there?” Bellinger undoubtedly provides a greater level of versatility and depth to the Yankees roster in direct comparison to Kyle Tucker. However, Tucker provides the Bronx Bombers a player with a much higher upside, and if we’re being honest, a higher floor as well. Not since 2018-2019, the year Cody won the National League’s Most Valuable Player award, has Bellinger produced back-to-back seasons of a 120 OPS+. While Tucker has produced an OPS+ greater than 124 for six consecutive seasons, and seven seasons if we drop the OPS+ mark to just 118.

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO CODY BELLINGER

Realistically, Cody Bellinger re-signing with the New York Yankees could have been a solid fit. However, if Cody isn’t willing to work within the parameters of the Yankees’ budget, then the Yankees need to move on from Bellinger. New York has the financial wherewithal to be able to secure anyone they truly desire. Yet, that doesn’t mean that the Yankees should be bullied into accepting a deal for the sake of the player or the agent’s greed. The Yankees have better alternatives out there who could provide more for the Yankees’ success in 2026 and beyond than what Cody’s current track record would dictate, as the likely down season outcome would seem to indicate. For the Yankees, this offseason has dragged on long enough, and it’s time to move on. It is time for the New York Yankees to wake up from their slumber and realize that they are still the Yankees and not try and act like the New York Rays of the AL East. Don’t try to “outsmart” everyone only to be played for a fool, but also not be true to yourself. The Yankees need to flex their financial might and go after the better options and say goodbye to Cody Bellinger.