MLB trade rumors: Cody Bellinger’s Yankees return headlines offseason buzz after contract standoff ends

The difficult start to Devin Williams' Mets career, Cody Bellinger's future, the Braves' seeming rotation depth, the Blue Jays' chances of making the playoffs, whether Konnor Griffin had a chance at a billion-dollar free agency, and which prospects who haven't yet made it to Major League Baseball could make a big impact this year are all covered in this week's mailbag.

In a baseball interview with reporters on Sunday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman discussed plans for the 2026 lineup and provided updates on a few important free agents. Cashman reaffirmed that the team wants free agency outfielder Cody Bellinger back for the upcoming season. Bellinger is still a hot topic of discussion.

Cody Bellinger re-signs with New York Yankees after contract standoff ends in long-term deal

Cody Bellinger ended rumors of his departure in late January 2026 when he re-signed with the New York Yankees on a five-year, $162.5 million contract, according to early 2026 reports. Rumor had it that the Mets were interested prior to the signing, and Bellinger and the Yankees were momentarily at odds over the length of the contract.

All offseason, Bellinger has been associated with the Yankees. According to a report by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the team considers Kyle Tucker, a fellow free agent, as a backup in case Bellinger is unavailable. For the record, Cashman stated that Tucker hasn't been to the Tampa Yankees complex. The former Cub recently visited the Dunedin Blue Jays facility.

After a successful debut season in the Bronx, Bellinger, 30, decided to opt out of his contract in early November, making him available on the open market. This previous year, he hit 29 home runs and 13 stolen bases while slashing.272/.334/.480. Bellinger's contract was up to one year and $25 million. Considering how many people are interested in his skills, he ought to get a far better deal.




Cashman said:

“Cody Bellinger would be a great fit for us.. I think he’d be a great fit for anybody. I think he’s a very talented player that can play multiple positions at a high level, and hits lefties, hits righties. He’s a contact guy, and I think our environment was a great one for him.”

During the 2025–2026 offseason, the New York Yankees engaged in negotiations with free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger; one of the main points of contention was the duration of the contract. Although talks lasted for a long time, it initially appeared that they were not close to a settlement. Bellinger and his representatives at the Boras Corporation most likely wanted a deal that would last six or seven years.

In a separate MLB Network broadcast, Jon Morosi stated that Bellinger was still seeking a seven-year contract, while the Yankees were, predictably, moving toward a four- or five-year deal. According to sources, Bellinger has received at least two formal offers from the Yankees, which has led to this impasse. Brian Cashman, general manager, has made it clear that the team wants him back.


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