Bellinger, please come back!, was the Yankees other than Judge the player hanging on like this? It wasn't low-key for Soto either

Nov 13, 2025

Bellinger, please come back!, was the Yankees other than Judge the player hanging on like this? It wasn't low-key for Soto either
The New York Yankees plan to strongly renew the contract with outfielder FA Cody Bellinger. AFP Yonhap News



The New York Yankees are clinging to FA Cody Bellinger. He publicly expressed his willingness to renew his contract.

General manager Brian Cashman, who went to the Major League Baseball General Manager's Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, said in a video interview with local media on the 13th (Korean time), `I am very interested in catching Bellinger" he said.

Bellinger moved from the Chicago Cubs to the Yankees through a trade in December last year, and has a batting average of 0.272 (160 hits in 588 at-bats), 29 homers, 98 RBIs, 89 runs and an OPS of 0.813 in 152 games this season. Although it is not at the level of 2019 when it won the MVP award, there is no disagreement that it has recovered its top-class batting in the league.




The Yankees lost their AL East title to the Toronto Blue Jays this year, so they plan to strengthen their power this offseason. That's why Bellinger is necessary.

General manager Cashman said, `We'll be better off if we catch Bellinger. Otherwise, we have to find an alternative, but we have to look closely at the market. However, it is still in the early stages of the FA. I've said it before and I emphasize this time, but I desperately want Bellinger to come back (we'd like to have him back).

Bellinger, please come back!, was the Yankees other than Judge the player hanging on like this? It wasn't low-key for Soto either
코디 벨린저. AFP Yonhap News
ESPN reported that `Cashman is eager for Bellinger to come back.' `Although Bellinger cannot receive the Juan Soto-class ransom he signed with the New York Mets last year, he will be strongly courted by various clubs, and the Yankees have made no secret of their willingness to renew their contracts with him.'




Judge showed the second highest team contribution after Aaron Judge this season. BWAR was the first in both leagues, 9.4, and Bellinger was 5.1. He was especially strong against left-handed pitchers. Left-handed pitchers' on-base percentage (0.415) and slugging percentage (0.601) ranked first among all left-handed hitters.

As a result, it is expected to be the second highest ransom for outfielders in the FA market after Kyle Tucker. ESPN predicted a six-year, $165 million. Tucker is valued at $418 million for 11 years.

Bellinger's defense is impeccable like a Gold Glove winner. Bellinger won the Gold Glove in the NL Outfielder category in 2019, boasting excellent defense not only in center field but also in left field and right field. Now it is possible to play first base. In other words, the value of his performance in defense has increased.




Judge stayed with the Cubs after announcing his FA at the end of the 2023 season, re-signing for three years and $80 million. And after two seasons, he gave up his $25 million player option in 2026 and boldly went to the FA market. It's confidence in your values.

Agent Scott Boras said "In my opinion, Bellinger's dynamic value suited the Yankees, and he also helped the Yankees. Watching one season this year, it was an ideal combination. It has benefited everyone."

Bellinger, please come back!, was the Yankees other than Judge the player hanging on like this? It wasn't low-key for Soto either
Aaron Judge (right) and Cody Bellinger. AFP Yonhap News
In addition to Bellinger, Trent Grisham is an outfielder who became an FA in the Yankees this time. He was offered a qualifying offer worth $2225,000 by the Yankees. The Yankees have to decide whether to accept it or not by the 19th, and they say they will do their best to sign Bellinger even if they catch Grisham.

It is very unusual for the Yankees to earnestly ask the internal FA to stay. There is nothing but a jersey in recent years. In December last year, he went to the final stage of negotiations with Soto, which was the FA's biggest fish, but he canceled the contract because he demanded a Yankee Stadium suite. It only offered $760 million in 16 years, depending on the market price, but it was not low-key.

If Bellinger stays with the Yankees, Tucker is highly likely to go to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers also need to fill a spot in the outfield, and the candidates are known to be Bellinger and Tucker.

Apart from this, the Yankees' position as shortstop is also ambiguous. This is because Anthony Volpi's batting has not improved for three years. FA Shortstop??Kim Ha-sung is a candidate for recruitment.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.