The MLB off-season rumors are getting interesting with the New York Yankees in the mix. We are not talking about their debacle with Juan Soto, but the latest chatter about the Chicago Cubs putting Cody Bellinger up for trade. Bellinger, who exercised his $27.5 million player option this offseason, got the Cubs surprised. Now, Bellinger’s name is making the rounds around the Yankees again.

Cody Bellinger and the New York Yankees sound like a match made in MLB rumor heaven, right? After all, the Yankees have long admired Bellinger in the past, and his father, Clay Bellinger, was a part of the Yankees’ championship team from 1999 to 2001. However, despite the history, the idea of a Bronx reunion for Bellinger could be losing steam, and for a big reason.

Cody Bellinger to the Yankees seems a long shot

The sheer idea of that Bellinger name continuing in pinstripes can get Yankees fans excited, but is it a realistic move at the moment? Ken Rosenthal from the Athletic mentioned that Cody Bellinger could be a fallback option for the Yankees if they miss out on Juan Soto; however, there’s a glaring issue! “The $32.5 million Bellinger is guaranteed would mitigate the return in some fashion. The Cubs might need to take back an inflated contract or accept marginal prospects in a deal,” Rosenthal explained, as per the Athletic. So, these financial issues could be the reason behind the Yankees backing out.

Cody Bellinger is owned by $26.7 million for 2025, with a 2026 player option and a $5 million buyout option tacked—that can be a lot for a player whose future is uncertain. Given that the Yankees are carrying big contracts, it might be difficult to justify the cost. Moreover, Bellinger’s performance is another factor; he showed huge promise in 2023 and had 18 home runs and a 109 wRC+, but his numbers took a dip this year. As for his fit within the Yankees, there are two instances where this move does make sense!

Does including Bellinger make sense for the Yankees?

Cody Bellinger in pinstripes might not be the perfect fit, but two ways could work for the New York Yankees. Firstly, there has been a gap on their first base—the team doesn’t have a clear starter for the upcoming season. While Bellinger is a center fielder most times, he has plenty of experience at first. The Yankees can take on Bellinger’s salary, and with this, they can also convince Soto that they want to win—two birds with one stone, right?

Secondly, if the Mets or any other team wins and Juan Soto leaves their squad, Bellinger could be a good option B for the Yankees. In this case, they could send someone like DJ LeMahieu to the Chicago Cubs, giving both teams some financial breathing room. Cody Bellinger could take over in center or left, with Aaron Judge moving back to the right. While it is a gamble, given Bellinger’s injury and his inconsistency, it remains to see if the Yankees will take on a short-term risk.

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