Yankees trying new strategy to re-sign Cody Bellinger amid uncertain free agency

Matt Sullivan

•
Yankees trying new strategy to re-sign Cody Bellinger amid uncertain free agency image

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees are looking to re-sign Cody Bellinger this offseason, but so far, it's proven to be a difficult negotiation.

Scott Boras and Bellinger are seeking seven years, which the Yankees have adamantly been against giving. To bring him back, the Yankees will need to make some changes.

According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Yankees are making an interesting change to their offer. Now, Bellinger has a larger signing bonus and some opt-outs.

Yankees trying new strategy to re-sign Cody Bellinger

"Yankees and Bellinger camp continue to talk into this week," Heyman reports. "NYY trying to bridge the gap in years by enhancing their latest offer (for 5 years) by offering an opt-out, nice signing bonus, no deferrals."

This new angle from the Yankees is an interesting one. Instead of bumping up the contract to seven years like Bellinger is seeking, the Yankees are trying to keep it at five years.

However, to make it worthwhile for Bellinger's time, they're adding more signing bonus money, no deferrals, and an opt-out clause to the proposed contract.

Brian Cashman and company do not want to go to a seventh year and are willing to risk long-term value in doing so by giving Bellinger an out after a set period of time.

More: Yankees get $160 million contract update on Cody Bellinger amid stare-down

It's an interesting contract offer from the Yankees. While Bellinger might not accept it, given how he and Boras have been adamant about this seventh year, this offer could be the next best alternative.

If the opt-out is after one year, then Bellinger could follow the Alex Bregman path, get a nice payday for 2026, and, with a strong season, could re-enter the market and land a much bigger deal.

While there's no indication of whether a contract is close from this report, it's a good sign that the Yankees are getting creative to make Bellinger work in New York. As Heyman notes, "Parties have possible options but effort being made to stay together."

More MLB news:

News Correspondent