The New York Yankees will have major decisions to make regarding their outfield this offseason.
Both Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger were mainstays in the Yankees’ outfield alongside Aaron Judge last season. However, both players are now free agents heading into 2026, leaving the Yankees with a lot of decisions to make to address their outfield.
The Yankees do have a handful of in-house options in Jasson Dominguez, and minor league star Spencer Jones, but acquiring — or retaining — proven big league talent will likely be what the Yankees go for.
MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan sees a scenario where the Yankees re-sign Cody Bellinger for 2026.
“Bellinger has already shown how perfectly his skill set aligns with the Yankees’ roster,” Harrigan said. “His ability to play center field provides a crucial level of defensive flexibility, and his left-handed swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch.”
“He also hardly ever strikes out, a welcome contrast for a Yankees lineup that features a lot of swing and miss,” he added. “With all of that in mind, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Bronx Bombers prioritize re-signing the 30-year-old Bellinger this offseason.”
Bellinger was traded to the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs before last season and enjoyed one of the better seasons of his career in 2025, hitting.272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and a.813 OPS. Bellinger will likely command a long-term deal in free agency, and the Yankees will likely think highly of him after a stellar season in the Bronx in 2025.
More Yankees news:
- Yankees trade prediction lands Padres' reliever in return for Spencer Jones
- Yankees eye AL East trade for $12.5 million bullpen boost
- Yankees cut ties with former top-100 prospect