Yankees receive positive Cody Bellinger prediction amid increasing interest around MLB

Matt Sullivan

•
Yankees receive positive Cody Bellinger prediction amid increasing interest around MLB image

The New York Yankees are looking to make a few big additions this winter, with additions in the bullpen and the outfield among the biggest priorities.

In the outfield specifically, their best option is a very easy one to spot. The Yankees should re-sign Cody Bellinger. But it won't come without a fight, as plenty of teams around baseball are showing interest in the All-Star outfielder.

But, Andy McCullough of The Athletic predicts that the Yankees will re-sign Bellinger this winter, staving off tough competition from top contenders and some surprising teams around baseball.

Yankees predicted to stave off top competition for Cody Bellinger this winter

"Bellinger proved to be an excellent fit during his first season in The Bronx,"  McCullough writes, "and the Yankees appear interested in making a long-term commitment."

New York holding onto Bellinger would be the ideal scenario for Yankees fans, as seeing him depart would leave a huge hole in the outfield that needs to be addressed.

Trent Grisham is already coming back for one more season, after agreeing to the one-year, $22.025 million Qualifying offer. But they still need another outfielder, and Bellinger makes the most sense.

Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Angels are all likely to have interest in Bellinger, with the Angels' interest being the most interesting of the bunch.

More: Yankees predicted to trade for $6.5 million All-Star lefty ace, would act as successor to Max Fried, Carlos Rodon

Bellinger is 30 years old, and while he's not as appealing as he once was right after his MVP season in 2019, Bellinger will have plenty of suitors this winter.

He's coming off a strong 29 home run,.272 batting average, 5.1 bWAR, and.813 OPS season in 2025. His first year with the Yankees was a resounding success, and Brian Cashman and the Yankees want to bring him back this winter.

McCullough predicts the Yankees will do so, which would be the ideal scenario for New York this winter. Even if no other big additions are made, keeping Bellinger in New York would be more than enough to call this offseason a successful one.

More Yankees News:

News Correspondent