The New York Yankees are running out of time-and options-when it comes to Cody Bellinger.
After weeks of back-and-forth with no deal in sight, the Yankees are still locked in a standoff with the 2025 standout free agent. And now, with Kyle Tucker officially signing with the Dodgers, the market just got tighter. One more elite left-handed bat is off the board, and the ripple effect could hit the Bronx hard.
Here’s where things get interesting: with Tucker no longer available, teams that had their eyes on him are now expected to pivot. And one team in particular is lurking-just across town.
The New York Mets, still looking to make a splash after watching key veterans walk out the door, suddenly have a clear path to Bellinger. They’ve got the need, the motivation, and now, even more urgency.
According to reports, the Mets are feeling the pressure to land a big-name outfielder, and Bellinger checks a lot of boxes. He’s a proven lefty bat with Gold Glove pedigree and the kind of versatility that can stabilize a lineup and a defense. For a team trying to reset its identity, he’s more than just a signing-he’s a statement.
Meanwhile, the Yankees’ talks with Bellinger have reportedly hit a snag over contract length. The team is said to have offered a five-year, $155 million deal, but Bellinger is reportedly holding out for a seven-year commitment. That two-year gap might not seem like much, but in a negotiation like this-where both sides know the stakes-it’s the kind of detail that can stall momentum.
And here’s the dilemma: Do the Yankees really need Bellinger?
On paper, maybe not. They've got a crowded mix of position players, and letting Bellinger walk could open the door for younger talent to get more reps.
But baseball decisions aren’t made on paper alone. Bellinger was electric in pinstripes last season, bringing both production and presence.
He fit the Yankees’ lineup like a glove-pun intended-and his return would give the team a potent left-handed complement to Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
But if the Yankees hesitate too long, they risk more than just losing a player. They risk watching Bellinger put on a Mets uniform-just like Soto did a year ago. That’s not just a roster blow; that’s a shot to the city’s baseball psyche.
The Dodgers’ signing of Tucker has set the table. The Mets are circling.
And the Yankees? They’re on the clock.
If they want Bellinger back in the Bronx, now’s the time to make it happen.