The New York Yankees are taking a wait-and-see approach this offseason, and that’s putting Cody Bellinger’s return in serious jeopardy.
Unlike previous winters where they’d chase the biggest names aggressively, the Yankees aren’t feeling pressured to make a splash signing. They’re interested in top free agents, including Bellinger, but they haven’t made any serious pushes yet.
That strategy might cost them their outfielder.
An update from ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggests the Yankees and Bellinger are stuck. The Yankees “won’t budge” in contract negotiations, creating a standoff that could drag on for weeks.
“Until his price drops, the Yankees don’t seem inclined to budge. But, of course, moves from other AL East teams could change that calculus.”
It’s not exactly what Yankees fans want to hear about bringing back the former MVP. Passan isn’t closing the door completely, but progress seems stalled.
What makes this situation fluid is the rest of the division. If the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, or Baltimore Orioles make another big move, the Yankees might suddenly feel more urgency to get a deal done with Bellinger.
Passan notes he wishes he had “a more definitive answer” because “it’s just all very fluid.” That’s probably the most telling part – nobody seems to know where this heads next.
For now, though, it’s an impasse. The Yankees reportedly aren’t moving off their current offer, and Bellinger’s camp isn’t backing down from their asking price.
Even if another team makes Bellinger an offer and gives the Yankees a chance to match, Brian Cashman and the front office seem comfortable rolling with Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez in the outfield next season.
That’s not the worst fallback plan, honestly. While Bellinger would clearly be an upgrade, the money they’d save could be used elsewhere – either now or down the road when other needs pop up.
The way things stand, the Yankees aren’t meeting Bellinger’s current demands. Unless something changes with division rivals or Bellinger’s market cools off significantly, a reunion looks increasingly unlikely this winter.
