Yankees Eye Bellinger Reunion, Stay Aggressive in Pitching Market, and Bet Big on Schlittler’s Development
The Yankees are making moves - or at least trying to - on multiple fronts this offseason, and the Cody Bellinger situation is front and center. New York wants him back.
Badly. After a strong debut season in pinstripes, Bellinger has made himself a priority target - but there’s a snag.
The two sides are reportedly not aligned on contract length, and the Yankees aren’t in the business of outbidding themselves.
Bellinger’s 2025 campaign was exactly what the Yankees needed: 29 home runs, a 125 OPS+, and steady defense in left field. That kind of production, especially from a left-handed bat in Yankee Stadium, fits the roster like a glove.
But while the Yankees are clearly interested in a reunion, they’re also navigating a tricky market. Bellinger’s camp is aiming for a longer-term deal, while New York is showing caution about locking in big years - especially with other options potentially on the table.
One of those options? Kyle Tucker.
The Yankees have reportedly reached out to Tucker’s representation, signaling they’re open to a bigger swing - one that could land them a player with a more complete offensive profile and elite defense. But Tucker’s price tag is steep, possibly north of $300 million, and that kind of commitment would reshape the team’s financial landscape.
So here’s the calculus: Bellinger fits the roster, likely costs under $200 million, and already has chemistry in the Bronx. Tucker brings more upside, but at a much higher cost.
And with other teams like the Mets, Dodgers, and Phillies showing interest in Bellinger - albeit less aggressively - the Yankees are walking a tightrope between urgency and patience. The market may ultimately move when another team forces the issue, but for now, it’s a waiting game.
Tatsuya Imai Could Be the Rotation Stabilizer the Yankees Desperately Need
While the Yankees sort out their outfield, they’re also pushing hard on the pitching front - and Tatsuya Imai is firmly on their radar. The Japanese right-hander turned heads in 2025 with a breakout season for the Seibu Lions, posting a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts. That kind of dominance doesn’t go unnoticed, and the Yankees have been tracking him closely.
What makes Imai such an intriguing fit is how well his profile matches what New York needs right now. With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt all expected to miss time early in 2026, this isn’t about adding depth - it’s about finding someone who can immediately carry innings at a high level. Imai brings that potential.
His fastball sits in the mid-90s with late life, and he pairs it with a splitter that misses bats and a slider that’s as deceptive as it is unique. Yankees scouts have been following his development for years, noting how his command has improved as his velocity has ticked up. He’s not just a high-upside arm - he’s a polished one, and that’s a rare combo in a free-agent market often filled with aging, injury-prone veterans.
According to reports, Imai could sign as soon as the Winter Meetings. That puts the pressure squarely on New York to move quickly if they believe he’s the right fit.
Signing Imai would give the Yankees something they haven’t had enough of lately: a young, durable starter who can anchor the rotation without compromising long-term flexibility. In a winter where the team can’t afford to miss, this could be one of their most important decisions.
Cam Schlittler’s Next Step Could Be a Game-Changer for the Yankees’ Rotation
One of the most pleasant surprises of the Yankees’ 2025 season was the emergence of Cam Schlittler. The right-hander wasn’t on many radars to start the year, but after lighting up Double-A radar guns with triple-digit heat and finishing the season with a 2.96 ERA in the big leagues, he’s firmly in the mix for a long-term rotation role.
Schlittler already brings a power arsenal that gives righties nightmares - a riding four-seamer, a heavy sinker, a late-cutting cutter, and a curveball that’s become a reliable bailout pitch. But lefties?
That’s where things get tricky. His walk rate spikes, command falters, and at-bats drag on.
The Yankees see the pattern, and they’re working to fix it.
This offseason, the focus is on developing a true weapon against left-handed hitters - either a changeup or a splitter, depending on what clicks. The goal isn’t just to add velocity separation, but to shape a pitch that moves away from lefties and induces weak contact early in the count. If Schlittler can find that pitch, everything in his game levels up.
Suddenly, his fastball becomes harder to sit on. His outings get longer.
And the Yankees get another young, controllable starter in a rotation that’s been stretched thin in recent years. Pitching coach Matt Blake and the development staff are all-in on this project, and for good reason - Schlittler has the raw tools to be more than just a back-end guy.
If the changeup (or splitter) comes along, he could be a legitimate difference-maker.
The Bottom Line
The Yankees are working multiple angles this offseason - and none of them are small. Whether it’s trying to bring back Cody Bellinger, making a run at Kyle Tucker, striking quickly on Tatsuya Imai, or developing Cam Schlittler into a rotation staple, the front office is clearly operating with urgency and intent.
This isn’t a team content with marginal upgrades. They know the roster needs impact talent, both now and in the future. And with a fan base expecting results, especially after recent October exits, the pressure is on to make the right calls.
So far, the Yankees are in the thick of it. Now we wait to see which domino falls first.