The New York Yankees have one major priority this winter: re-sign outfielder Cody Bellinger. After Trent Grisham came back by accepting the $22.025 million qualifying offer, the Yankees only need to add one more outfielder.
While they're linked to Kyle Tucker, their more realistic free agent target is Bellinger, who the Yankees can re-sign to a long-term deal after his successful stint in New York in 2025.
But, unfortunately for the Yankees, retaining Bellinger won't come easily. According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the Yankees will have to contend with both the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies for Bellinger this winter.
Yankees forced to stave off Mets, Phillies for Cody Bellinger
Amid a report that the Yankees, Mets, and Phillies have interest in Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai, Passan revealed that "All three have interest in Bellinger, too."
The star Yankees outfielder would be a great addition to the lineup for any team around Major League Baseball, but for the Yankees, he's much more important.
If the Yankees cannot sign Bellinger, it would also likely mean that Tucker isn't an option either. Most insiders expect Tucker to sign first, meaning the Yankees could be down to a potential Plan C for the outfield.
Re-signing Bellinger or signing Tucker is the priority for the Yankees this winter. While a rotation arm would be a nice addition with some Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon uncertainty, an outfielder is a bigger priority.
More: Cody Bellinger's free agency update is bad news for Yankees
Bellinger is coming off a strong defensive season that was paired with a.272 batting average, 29 home runs, and 5.1 bWAR in one of his best seasons since his 2019 MVP year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He's 30 years old and won't be cheap for the Yankees or any team to sign in free agency. And unfortunately for the Yankees, they will have to contend with the Mets and Phillies, two teams willing to spend big this winter, for Bellinger.
Yankees fans should root for Kyle Schwarber to re-sign with the Phillies, and for Pete Alonso or another top free agent to sign with the Mets. Having less competition, especially among the bigger spenders, would be welcome news for the Yankees amid their pursuit to re-sign Bellinger.
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