Will Cody Bellinger re-sign with the New York Yankees? The latest report suggests a difference in opinion regarding the contract’s details.
Cody Bellinger Contract: What We Know
Coming off a promising 2025 campaign, Bellinger is one of the top free agents on the market.
Bellinger opted out of his deal in November. The outfielder had one year left worth $25 million.
The Yankees, Bellinger’s former team, would like to re-sign Bellinger. The two sides are negotiating a deal, but so far, they have failed to compromise.
Per The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, the Yankees offered Bellinger a contract with an average annual value (AAV) north of $30 million.
Sources: Yankees’ latest multi-year offer to free agent Cody Bellinger was for more than $30M AAV as Bellinger’s side seeks seven years.
READ: https://t.co/u8LfMzrhnO
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) January 9, 2026
If Bellinger agreed to the parameters of the deal, he would join an exclusive list of outfielders making over $30 million AAV. The list includes the New York Mets’ Juan Soto ($51 million), the Yankees’ Aaron Judge ($40 million), the Angels’ Mike Trout ($35.5 million), and the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts ($30.4 million).
The gap between the Yankees and Bellinger involves the length of the contract.
The Yankees want to sign Bellinger to a shorter-term deal for a maximum of five years. On the other hand, Bellinger is reportedly seeking a six- or seven-year deal.
Bellinger, 30, knows it could be his last time to sign a lucrative contract as an MLB player.
Make no mistake, the Yankees want to re-sign Bellinger. The former MVP batted .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI with an .813 OPS for the Yankees. Bellinger is an above-average defender, ranking in the 93rd percentile in outs above average.
Bellinger predominantly played in left field, but he has the talent to play in center if the team needs him there.
One player who has advocated for the Yankees to re-sign Bellinger is Judge, who batted in front of Bellinger in the lineup. Judge, who almost won a Triple Crown, finished with a .331 average, 53 home runs, and 114 RBI.
Does Cody Bellinger Have Any Other Suitors?
Bellinger remains at the top of the free agents still available.
Kyle Tucker is regarded as the top outfielder on the market, with Bellinger right behind him.
Tucker, 28, is projected to get a contract in the neighborhood for $400 million for 10 to 11 years.
Perhaps Scott Boras, Bellinger’s agent, is waiting to see what Tucker gets first before going back to the Yankees with a deal.
If Bellinger doesn’t sign with the Yankees, the Mets, Phillies, Dodgers, Giants, and Angels are viewed as destinations for the outfielder.
