Yankees Sweeten the Pot for Bellinger, But Will It Be Enough?
The Yankees have made their move. With Cody Bellinger still unsigned and the market suddenly reshaped by the Dodgers’ $240 million deal for Kyle Tucker, New York has upped its offer in a big way.
We're talking about a second opt-out and a hefty signing bonus - all designed to close the deal without adding a sixth or seventh year to the contract. It’s a strong push, and clearly, the Yankees want this done on their terms.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t a one-horse race. Not anymore.
With Tucker off the board, two teams - the Mets and Blue Jays - are now lurking, and both have the financial firepower to make things very uncomfortable for the Yankees. The question isn’t whether they can outbid the Yankees. It’s whether they want to.
Let’s start with the Mets. If Steve Cohen decides to go full scorched-earth, he could easily repurpose the money that was earmarked for Tucker and throw a short-term, high-dollar deal at Bellinger.
Think four years, $200 million - something that makes the Yankees’ offer look quaint by comparison. It wouldn’t give Bellinger the seven years he’s reportedly been after, but it would make him one of the highest-paid players in the game on an annual basis.
That’s hard to ignore, even for a client of Scott Boras.
Of course, that kind of offer would require Cohen to go into full-on chaos mode - not exactly unprecedented, but still a bold move. It’s also worth noting that Bellinger isn’t a perfect fit at Citi Field, and Cohen has previously admitted that even his wallet has limits. Still, if he wants to send a message to the Yankees - and steal a marquee name in the process - this is the moment to do it.
Then there’s Toronto. The Blue Jays might not be as flashy as the Mets when it comes to free-agent theatrics, but they have something the Yankees won’t give Bellinger: term.
If there's a team that could actually hand him the full seven years he’s chasing, it’s Toronto. And after missing out on Tucker, they might be motivated to make a splash of their own.
The Jays were reportedly more focused on a Bo Bichette reunion before he shocked the league by signing a three-year deal with the Mets. That twist opens the door for Toronto to pivot, and Bellinger would certainly qualify as a high-profile Plan B. The fit makes sense, and the motivation might be there - especially if they want to prove they’re still major players in the AL arms race.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are doing everything they can to avoid bending too far. They’ve already added flexibility with the second opt-out and a sizable bonus to make the deal more appealing without stretching the years. It’s a smart, calculated move - one that shows they’re serious, but not desperate.
Still, the Yankees know the clock is ticking. Bellinger and Boras waited for a reason, and now that Tucker has reset the market, the leverage has shifted. If one of these spurned suitors wants to strike back - not just to land a star, but to twist the knife a little - the Yankees might find themselves outmaneuvered, despite their best efforts.
Bottom line: the Yankees are in the lead, but this isn’t over. Not yet.