Yankees Double Down on Cody Bellinger Pursuit, Heat Up Trade Talks for Freddy Peralta
Kyle Tucker’s blockbuster deal with the Dodgers may have set the tone for the offseason, but the Yankees are far from finished making noise. With Cody Bellinger still very much in their sights, New York is getting creative - and aggressive - in its bid to bring the former MVP to the Bronx.
Meanwhile, their interest in adding a top-tier arm like Freddy Peralta is gaining serious momentum. Let’s break down the latest developments from the Bronx and what they signal about the Yankees’ mindset heading into 2026.
Yankees Willing to Add Second Opt-Out in Bellinger Offer
The Yankees’ pursuit of Cody Bellinger has moved beyond just dollars and cents - it’s now a chess match of contract structure. New York has reportedly offered Bellinger a five-year, $155 million deal, but with agent Scott Boras aiming for a seven-year commitment, the Yankees are exploring a middle ground: a second opt-out clause.
That kind of flexibility could be a game-changer. It would give Bellinger multiple chances to test free agency again, while allowing the Yankees to limit their long-term risk.
Think back to the structure used in Gerrit Cole’s deal - it’s a similar playbook. The message here is clear: the Yankees are serious about bringing Bellinger in, but they’re not going to sacrifice financial control to do it.
Despite outside speculation about Plan Bs, Bellinger remains the top priority. Sure, names like Nico Hoerner or Luis Robert have been floated as alternatives, but those options come with significant trade costs - especially Hoerner, who would command a hefty return.
Right now, New York’s focus is on reshaping the Bellinger deal, not abandoning it. That alone tells you how motivated they are to make this reunion happen.
Freddy Peralta Trade Talks Heating Up
While the Yankees continue to work on the Bellinger front, they’re also turning up the heat on the trade market - and Freddy Peralta is at the center of it. After adding lefty Ryan Weathers, New York is now eyeing a much bigger splash: acquiring the Brewers’ ace to anchor a rotation that still has its fair share of question marks.
Peralta’s 2025 campaign was a showcase of elite swing-and-miss stuff and top-end consistency. He’s exactly the kind of pitcher who could shift the Yankees’ postseason ceiling.
But landing him won’t come cheap. Milwaukee is expected to demand a premium package, with top prospects like Spencer Jones or Elmer Rodriguez likely to be the centerpiece of any deal.
Weathers could be part of the conversation, but the Yankees are reportedly hesitant to flip him so soon after acquiring him. Still, the calculus is simple: if you want certainty atop your rotation, you have to give up something that stings.
And with Aaron Judge in his prime, the Yankees know the clock is ticking. This is the kind of move that signals you're all-in - not just for October, but for the bigger picture.
Yankees Take Measured Approach in International Signing Period
While the big-league roster grabs the headlines, the Yankees also made quiet moves on the international front. With the smallest bonus pool in baseball and a shift underway in their international scouting leadership, the team took a more restrained, targeted approach this year.
They signed five players - two shortstops from the Dominican Republic and three catchers from Venezuela - focusing on defensive tools and long-term projection over immediate impact. One name to watch: catcher Kenneth Melendez, who’s already drawing attention for his mix of offensive potential and advanced defensive instincts.
This wasn’t a year for splashy signings, and that was by design. Instead, the Yankees are playing the long game here, recalibrating their international approach while rivals like the Mets go big. These signings won’t move the needle in 2026, but they’re part of a broader strategy to stay competitive in the global talent race - a necessary step as the organization reshapes its foundation.
Bottom Line
The Yankees are operating with urgency - but not recklessness. Whether it’s massaging contract terms with Bellinger, weighing a high-stakes trade for Peralta, or laying groundwork internationally, New York is threading the needle between aggression and control.
They’re not just chasing headlines - they’re building a roster that can win now without mortgaging the future. And with the AL landscape as competitive as ever, that balance might be the key to finally getting back to the Fall Classic.