There's no doubt the New York Yankees are among the most interested teams in Cody Bellinger's free agency. Before the 2025 season, the Cubs traded their outfielder to the Bronx and he has proven to be a seamless fit.
However, let's not forget that Bellinger could come at a costly price, one that could be avoided if the Yankees choose to focus on a greater deal in hindsight.
During his show on ESPN, MLB analyst Michael Kay shared his take on Bellinger's free agency, putting his age, performance and the bidding war that might ensue while chasing to re-sign him. He pointed out the contract number where the Yankees should tap out when they still can.
“If I’m the Yankees and I see the bidding for (Cody) Bellinger gets over $30 million, I might have to tap out,” Kay said. “Cody’s 30 years old. Let’s not forget, he’s had great years, and he’s had really, really bad years. The Dodgers, after he won an MVP for them, non-tendered him. The Cubs, after one good year and then eh year, traded him to the Yankees for Cody Poteet, and they ate $5 million of his contract. So it has not been a steady arc up for Cody. Maybe he found the place that’s perfect for him, in the Bronx, maybe. But Scott Boras is not going to play that game. He’s going to play the game of how much money and how long. And if there’s some team that’s willing to step up and break the bank, I don’t think the Yankees will; that’s when I make my pivot, Fernando Tatis Jr.”
Kay suggested that instead of going after Bellinger's costly negotiations, the Yankees need to think about the possibility of bringing Fernando Tatis Jr. To the Bronx.
Yankees can afford Fernando Tatis Jr.?
It's not something the Yankees haven't done before. They engaged in a trade with the Padres before and it was quite successful as well. They brought Juan Soto in, and that year, they went to the World Series before almost closing him on a long-term contract during his free agency.
Now, the New York side has another option to land Fernando Tatis Jr. Through trade.
The Padres outfielder is currently signed to a 14-year, $340 million and he won't become a free agent until 2035. That contract is a bargain as it is just over $24 million for a player who is coming off a 25-home-run, 71 RBIs and 32-stolen-base season.
While there are PED allegations against Tatis Jr., the Yankees can make their contract airtight by adding a clause that gets them out and safeguards their interest.
What's more interesting about Tatis Jr.'s contract is that his contract will come to an end when he is expected to start to decline. There couldn't be a better deal out there, but it will be a hard task to even engage the Padres for a trade involving him in the first place.
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