The Yankees’ offseason plans are still very much in motion, and their pursuit of Cody Bellinger remains front and center. Talks between the two sides are ongoing, and while there's still a gap to bridge, New York is showing a willingness to get creative-particularly when it comes to contract structure.
Right now, the Yankees are reportedly offering a five-year, $155 million deal, while Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, are seeking a seven-year commitment. That’s a sizable difference in both years and dollars, but the Yankees may be exploring a middle ground that gives Bellinger the flexibility he wants without locking the team into a longer-term risk: additional opt-outs.
Adding a second opt-out could be a game-changer in these negotiations. For Bellinger, it’s a way to bet on himself.
If he continues to perform at a high level, the opt-outs give him the chance to re-enter free agency and potentially land another big payday. For the Yankees, it’s a way to stay competitive in the bidding without extending the overall length of the deal beyond their comfort zone.
This wouldn’t be the first time the Yankees have gone this route. Back in 2019, they structured Gerrit Cole’s contract with a player opt-out after five years-but included a club option that could override that opt-out.
It was a savvy move that gave Cole some leverage while protecting the team’s long-term interests. A similar blueprint could be in play here, though it’s unclear whether the opt-outs in Bellinger’s case would come with any club-side mechanisms or simply be straight player options.
The market dynamics are also shifting. With the Kyle Tucker situation now resolved, other teams could start pushing harder for Bellinger, which might force the Yankees to act sooner rather than later.
The Mets, while interested, don’t appear likely to outbid the Yankees, and the Blue Jays’ intentions remain a bit of a mystery. But make no mistake-if the Yankees want to bring Bellinger back to the Bronx, they’ll need to stay aggressive.
Despite some chatter about pivoting to other targets, Bellinger is still the Yankees’ top priority. That said, they’re doing their homework on alternatives.
There’s reported interest in both Nico Hoerner and Luis Robert as potential fallback options. However, prying Hoerner loose would likely require a massive return, making that route far from straightforward.
For now, the focus remains on Bellinger. The Yankees are trying to thread the needle-offering enough security and upside to land a premier talent, while maintaining the flexibility that modern front offices crave. Whether or not they can close the gap remains to be seen, but the willingness to explore multiple opt-outs shows just how serious they are about making this reunion happen.