New York, January 2, 2026
Yankees Make Formal Offer to Cody Bellinger
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The New York Yankees have reportedly made a significant move in their pursuit of outfielder Cody Bellinger.
- The Yankees submitted a formal offer to Cody Bellinger on Thursday.
- Aaron Judge is reportedly a strong advocate for Bellinger’s return to the team.
- Bellinger, 30, recorded 29 home runs and 98 RBI during his first season with the Yankees.
- The Dodgers and Blue Jays have also expressed interest in signing the outfielder.
- Bellinger’s decision may hinge on the contract signed by Kyle Tucker.
The New York Yankees have officially entered the fray for Cody Bellinger, submitting a formal offer to the outfielder on Thursday, according to reports. This signals a serious intention to re-sign the player who delivered a strong performance in his first season with the team, hitting 29 home runs – his highest total since 2019 – and driving in 98 runs while maintaining a .272 batting average.
Judge Advocates for Bellinger’s Return
The Yankees haven’t been overly active this offseason, with the retention of outfielder Trent Grisham on a qualifying offer being their most notable move thus far. However, bringing Bellinger back into the lineup would undoubtedly bolster their chances of contending for a World Series title. Adding another power bat to the roster is clearly a priority.
Adding fuel to the fire, New York’s biggest star, Aaron Judge, is reportedly a “big advocate” for Bellinger’s return, as reported last week. Judge clearly sees Bellinger as a key piece of a championship puzzle.
Competition and a Waiting Game
The Yankees aren’t alone in their pursuit of the 30-year-old outfielder. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays have also reportedly expressed interest in Bellinger. His agent, Scott Boras, offered a cryptic take on potential landing spots last month.
“It’s not for me to Judge, but great players see Red if they have a big bat Yanked out of their lineup,” Boras said, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. “I haven’t Met a team that Dodges a five-tool player. To Phil the center field need is a Giant step towards the playoffs. North and south outfielders that fly with power, they’re rare Birds. In the offseason, there’s a lot of startup to organizations, and for that reason, there’s a lot of Angel investors that are looking for very versatile outfielders. So other than that, Belli doesn’t have much interest.”
Tucker’s Deal Could Influence Bellinger
However, Bellinger’s final decision may be tied to the contract of another prominent free agent: Kyle Tucker. According to a report earlier this month, sources suggest Boras may wait for Tucker to sign before finalizing a deal with the Yankees or another team.
Tucker, widely considered the top free agent available this offseason, currently has a market value of $40.2 million, according to Spotter, while Bellinger’s market value is estimated at $30.4 million. The contract awarded to Tucker could therefore set a benchmark for Bellinger’s negotiations.