Yankees predicted to salvage offseason by signing $165M former MVP, World Series champion

Hunter Cookston

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Yankees predicted to salvage offseason by signing $165M former MVP, World Series champion image

Cody Bellinger remains one of the biggest names on the free-agent market, with just a month remaining before players are expected to report to Spring Training. At this point, it appears three teams are battling for one of the most versatile defenders in baseball.

“The market for Cody Bellinger is robust with the most likely result that he signs with a big market, contending team as expected with the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers the most likely landing spots for him at this point in that order,” MLB insider Jim Bowden posted.

Bellinger is expected to be paid handsomely wherever he lands, with projections placing his contract value around $165 million.

“ESPN's Kiley McDaniel initially projected Bellinger would get a six-year, $165 million contract. But now the ballpark numbers are six years and $180 million. Bellinger's price tag started to move after the Philadelphia Phillies re-signed designated hitter Kyle Schwarber for five years and $150 million, and the Baltimore Orioles landed former New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso for five years and $155 million,” SI’s Michael Rosenstein wrote.

Despite the competition, SNY’s Anthony McCarron still believes the New York Yankees will ultimately get a deal done with Bellinger and sees him as a perfect fit for the organization.

“We admit, the staredown between the Yankees and Cody Bellinger (and Scott Boras) is mildly amusing. But this signing still feels inevitable, even if the Yanks are looking into the other big free agents still remaining. Bellinger just fits perfectly in the Bronx, thanks to his lefty swing, versatility and the contact skills the club needs so badly,” McCarron wrote.

It feels as though the Yankees can’t afford to miss out on Bellinger without creating a significant hole in their roster, unless a major trade follows. There’s no doubt that failing to land him would be a major setback.

The saga will continue, but the longer the process drags on, the more pressure it puts on New York. If the Yankees truly want Bellinger, they’ll need to get a deal done sooner rather than later.

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