Cody Bellinger’s Return to the Yankees Isn’t Flashy-But It Might Be Exactly What They Need
Cody Bellinger is back in pinstripes, and you’d think that would spark a little more buzz in the Bronx. But the reaction? Let’s just say it’s been more shrug than standing ovation.
That’s the reality for a franchise that hasn’t tasted October glory since 2009. Even when the Yankees pull off a savvy move-like re-signing a versatile, left-handed slugger who actually wants to be in the Bronx-it’s met with skepticism.
And honestly, that’s the cost of more than a decade of postseason frustration. The fans have seen the flashy headlines before.
What they want now is hardware.
Still, there’s something to be said for how this deal came together. Hal Steinbrenner didn’t just bring Bellinger back-he did it by holding firm in negotiations with Scott Boras, one of the most powerful agents in the game.
That’s no small feat. The Yankees locked in Bellinger for five years and $162.5 million, a deal that works for both sides but especially signals that Steinbrenner isn’t afraid to play hardball when it counts.
And let’s not forget: Bellinger fits. He’s a Gold Glove-caliber defender, has pop from the left side, and brings a level of athleticism the Yankees lineup sorely needs. He also genuinely enjoys being a Yankee-something that can’t be said for every star in New York these days.
But for many fans, it still doesn’t feel like enough. The AL East has only gotten tougher this offseason.
The Blue Jays are loaded. The Orioles are young and dangerous.
Even the Red Sox and Rays have made strides. So the question lingers: Is this Yankees team really built to get over the hump?
It’s a fair concern, but don’t sleep on what’s coming back. Gerrit Cole is expected to return before July.
Cam Schlittler, who showed flashes in limited action last year, is on track for a full workload. Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt are both working their way back from injury.
And Ryan Weathers, who can touch triple digits, is set to replace Carlos Carrasco in the rotation. That’s a lot of upside on the mound.
The Yankees didn’t make a splashy overhaul this winter, but they didn’t need to. They won more games than any other American League team last year despite key injuries and inconsistencies.
If the rotation stays healthy and the lineup gets a little more balance-thanks in part to Bellinger-they’re right there with the best in the league. Vegas seems to agree, pegging them as early favorites to win the pennant.
Of course, everything still runs through Aaron Judge. He’ll be 34 in April, and while he’s coming off another strong season, the clock is ticking.
He’s got the weight of the franchise on his shoulders, and he knows it. But Judge also sets the tone in the clubhouse.
His belief in the team, his work ethic, his presence-that’s what keeps the Yankees grounded when the noise gets loud. There’s a good chance his leadership played a role in convincing Bellinger to return.
Still, leadership only goes so far. The Yankees need results. And that’s the challenge Judge faces-staying healthy, staying productive, and staying locked in on a team that’s trying to thread the needle between patience and urgency.
Meanwhile, across town, the Mets have taken a very different approach. Their offseason has been a rollercoaster-big swings, big misses, and a whole lot of noise.
They’ve landed stars like Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, and Luis Robert Jr., but also missed out on key targets like Kyle Tucker and Pete Alonso. It’s been aggressive, reactive, and at times, chaotic.
Some around the league think Mets owner Steve Cohen is operating with one ear tuned to sports radio. That’s a risky way to build a roster. Making moves to appease fans might win the winter, but it doesn’t always translate to October.
Still, Vegas likes what they’ve done. The Mets now sit at 14-1 to win the pennant-right alongside the Blue Jays and Phillies. That’s a big shift from where they were just a few months ago.
But everyone’s still chasing the Dodgers. With the most stacked roster since the early-2000s Yankees, L.A. enters the season as the clear favorite. And we all know how that kind of hype can play out-especially in New York.
So where does that leave the Yankees?
They’re not the flashiest team in the league. They didn’t win the offseason headlines.
But they might have done something more important: they stayed the course. They kept their core intact, added a proven bat in Bellinger, and trusted in the arms they’ve been developing.
It’s not the kind of move that lights up social media. But come October, it might be the one that finally gets them back where they belong.