In an offseason that’s seen big names take their time deciding where they’ll land, Cody Bellinger has become the last major domino yet to fall - and all eyes are on his standoff with the New York Yankees.
The Yankees reportedly put a five-year, $160 million offer on the table, complete with multiple opt-outs. But here's the kicker: they’re holding firm.
No bidding war, no second offer. That’s their stance, and they’re sticking to it.
Now, that’s a bold position, especially with a player like Bellinger still available. He’s coming off a strong season - 29 home runs, a .272 average - and showed real signs of resurgence in his first year in pinstripes after a two-year stint with the Cubs and a six-season run with the Dodgers that included a World Series title. He’s still just 28, and when healthy, he brings a rare mix of power, defense, and positional flexibility that fits just about anywhere in the lineup or on the field.
But the Yankees aren’t blinking. According to MLB insider Jim Bowden, speaking on the Foul Territory podcast, the team won’t make a “panic pivot” if Bellinger walks - a not-so-subtle reference to the Mets’ sudden move to bring in Bo Bichette. Instead, Bowden believes the Yankees are prepared to let their young talent step into bigger roles if Bellinger heads elsewhere.
Still, Bowden hasn’t ruled out a reunion. He noted that the Yankees are open to sweetening the deal with a significant signing bonus, which could be a way to bridge the gap without adding more years or total dollars to the offer.
This negotiation is starting to feel like a high-stakes game of chicken. On one side, Bellinger has leverage - he knows the Yankees don’t have another marquee bat lined up. On the other, New York is betting on its patience and internal depth, refusing to overextend for a player whose market hasn’t materialized quite the way some expected.
With spring training creeping closer, something’s got to give. Either Bellinger circles back and accepts what’s on the table, or the Yankees roll the dice on their youth movement. For now, the standoff continues - and it might just shape the tone of the Yankees' 2026 season before a single pitch is thrown.