Cody Bellinger quickly became a fan favorite among the Yankee faithful in 2025. Although he was only on the team for one season, his impact was significant. After the 2025 season, he became a free agent, and many Yankee fans held the desire for him to sign a long-term deal with the Yankees. However, more and more fans seem to be hopping off the Bellinger train after finding out how much he is seeking in a contract, as well as the front office. 

It’s been reported that Bellinger is seeking a 7-year deal with an annual average salary of around $36 to $37 million. Many believe this is asking for far too much, as he is currently 30 years old and has experienced significant ups and downs in his career. Considering that Scott Boras is his agent, it’s not surprising to see a sky-high contract request like this one. 

It was also reported that the Yankees offered two different contracts to Bellinger, but an agreement was not reached. The Yankees reportedly proposed a 5-year deal with more than $30 million AAV, but Bellinger and Boras continued to push for those 7 years.

As of January 10th, 2026, Buster Olney reported that the Yankees were now operating under the assumption that Bellinger would sign elsewhere. Thus, they will seek additions in different players, potentially in Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette.

Where can they go from here?

Looking at either Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette, I think Tucker would be the better fit. According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees do not view Bichette as a shortstop, and they would instead use him at second base. Therefore, they would likely try to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Ryan McMahon. If the Yankees sign Bichette, it will become obvious to other teams that they’re desperate to trade Chisholm Jr. or McMahon, unless they move Chisholm Jr. to third base. However, this scenario would leave both players operating outside of their primary positions, and Bichette’s defense is already a concern. While Bichette’s bat would undoubtedly be impactful, this move would result in an infield with overall weak defense.

The Yankees deserve praise for not overpaying Bellinger. I like Bellinger, and I enjoyed watching him this season with the Yankees, but he simply isn’t worth that price tag. Tucker and Bellinger are both elite All-Star outfielders, but I believe Tucker is a better overall player than Bellinger anyway. While Bellinger offers great versatility and defense, he has shown a lot of ups and downs offensively throughout his career. Tucker provides a greater upside as well, and he’s been far more consistent from year to year, with fewer extreme slumps. 

While the 28-year-old Tucker is reportedly seeking a 10-year, $400 million contract, the more efficient offer may be shortening the term and raising the annual value. An 8-year, $35 million AAV deal would fairly compensate Tucker for his elite production while avoiding the long-term volatility that often comes with decade-long contracts.

Ultimately, Cody Bellinger’s brief tenure in pinstripes was memorable, but the financial commitment he is seeking simply does not align with his inconsistency or long-term risk. I think the Yankees are making the right decision here by moving on. Kyle Tucker represents a more reliable and impactful investment with elite production, strong defense, and a steadier offensive profile entering his prime. Pairing the addition of Tucker with some meaningful pitching reinforcements would create a more complete and sustainable roster.