The Yankees may have just caught a break in their pursuit of Cody Bellinger.
With the Mets swinging a major trade for Luis Robert Jr. on Tuesday night, the outfield picture in Queens just got a lot more crowded - and a lot less likely to include Bellinger. The Mets had been seen as one of the Yankees' biggest rivals in the chase for the free-agent slugger, especially if he decided to leave the Bronx. But now that Robert is set to patrol center field at Citi Field, the most natural landing spot for Bellinger in that lineup may have just disappeared.
This doesn’t mean the Mets are completely out of the Bellinger sweepstakes. They’d still love to make a splash and steal a star from across town - that’s just how this rivalry works. But with Robert now in the fold, the Mets’ urgency to land Bellinger may have cooled, and that could shift the entire dynamic of his free agency.
Earlier Tuesday, reports suggested that four teams were seriously in on Bellinger, including both New York clubs. The Toronto Blue Jays are believed to be another contender, while the identity of the fourth team remains under wraps. But if the Mets are indeed stepping back, that’s one less bidder at the table - and one less bit of leverage for Bellinger’s camp.
As it stands, the Yankees have made their interest in a reunion clear. They’ve reportedly held firm on an offer in the five-year, $155-160 million range, and haven’t shown signs of budging. That’s a strong offer, but with fewer teams in the mix, Bellinger may have to decide whether that’s the deal he’s willing to take - or if he’s willing to wait for someone to blink.
For Yankees fans, the Robert trade is a headline-grabber, but it might also be the domino that helps bring Bellinger back to the Bronx. With the Mets potentially out of the way, the path to a pinstripe reunion just got a little clearer.
Now the ball’s in Bellinger’s court. Where he decides to play in 2026 and beyond could shape not just the Yankees’ season, but the balance of power in the American League.