The New York Yankees have been surprisingly quiet so far this offseason - at least on the surface. While their crosstown rivals, the Mets, have added familiar faces like former Yankees relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, the Bronx Bombers have yet to make a major splash. But that doesn’t mean they’re sitting idle behind the scenes.
One name remains front and center on the Yankees’ radar: Cody Bellinger. The 2019 NL MVP is one of the most intriguing free agents on the market, and despite a relatively slow winter for the Yankees, their pursuit of Bellinger appears very much alive - and maybe even leading the pack.
According to former MLB GM Jim Bowden, the Yankees are currently viewed as the frontrunners to land Bellinger, ahead of both the Mets and the Dodgers - two other big-market contenders with serious interest. Bowden notes that Bellinger is expected to sign with a contending team in a major market, and right now, the Yankees are positioned at the top of that list.
That’s not just a throwaway line. It’s a strong indication that, despite the lack of headline moves, the Yankees are very much in the mix for one of the most impactful bats available.
And make no mistake - Bellinger is more than just a name. He’s coming off a bounce-back season that reminded everyone why he was once considered one of the most dynamic players in the game.
His ability to play both center field and first base gives the Yankees some much-needed flexibility, and his left-handed bat would bring balance to a lineup that’s leaned heavily right-handed in recent years.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed in free agency. The Mets have money to spend and a clear desire to improve.
The Dodgers, Bellinger’s original team, are always a threat when it comes to high-end talent. But the fact that the Yankees are seen as the most likely landing spot is a notable development - especially given how quiet they’ve been otherwise.
If Bellinger does return to the Bronx, it would likely be on a long-term deal north of $100 million - a serious commitment, but one that reflects his ceiling as a Gold Glove-caliber defender with 30-homer power. It would also signal that the Yankees are still very much in win-now mode, looking to reload rather than rebuild.
The Yankees’ offseason hasn’t had fireworks yet, but their pursuit of Bellinger could change that in a hurry. If they land him, it would be a major step toward reshaping the roster and reasserting themselves in a competitive American League landscape.
For now, the waiting game continues - but all signs point to the Yankees being in the driver’s seat.