Yankees’ Cody Bellinger Pursuit Hits a Big Roadblock After Cubs’ Surprisingly Hard Stance on Former MVP’s Salary

The New York Yankees are facing an obstacle in bringing Cody Bellinger on board. With the Chicago Cubs taking a stand on his financial requests, unexpectedly high price tags have come in the way of sealing the deal for the former MVP star player Bellinger. Being one of the most sought-after hitters in free agency, the Yankees are keen to land him and strengthen their lineup after a lackluster performance in 2024. However, the Cubs’ resolve to secure maximum value for the outfielder is complicating the negotiations.

In 2024, Bellinger made a comeback, hitting .307/.356/.542, with 29 home runs and 92 RBIs. His resurgence after two seasons with the Dodgers drew interest from teams like the New York Yankees. Known for his batting finesse and defensive skills, the left-handed slugger seems tailored for Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch. The Cubs have Bellinger under contract until 2023 with a one-year “prove it” deal of $17.5 million. They appear hesitant to let him go unless the offer meets their expectations. Some sources indicate that Bellinger’s representatives are aiming for a long-term contract valued at around $200 million for six or seven years—a figure the Yankees believe is too high, given his inconsistent performance history.

The Yankees’ financial tightrope

According to The New York Post’s Johan Hayman, “Bellinger would bring great defense at first and proper insurance to center field in case Jasson Dominguez isn’t ready. The hang-up was about money, with the Cubs asking the Yankees to take on nearly the full $52.5M Bellinger’s due over the next couple of years and the Yankees expecting more cash coming back.” Now, the New York Yankees are under intense pressure to make decisions following an 82-80 season that ended with them failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Their general manager, Brian Cashman, openly emphasized the importance of adding left-handed power to support Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Nevertheless, with high-priced contracts already in place, the Yankees are hesitant to sign another lengthy contract without assurance of consistent performance. The Cubs’ hardline stance further complicates matters; fresh off a playoff appearance, the Chicago team is determined to maintain momentum by retaining key pieces or extracting maximum trade value.

While the Yankees face an unenviable decision: overpay for Bellinger and risk future financial flexibility or pivot to alternative options. Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto are potential trade targets, but neither offers Bellinger’s combination of tools. For now, the New York Yankees remain engaged in discussions, but the Cubs’ refusal to budge on their demands underscores the challenges of navigating a market where top talent comes at a premium. Whether the Bronx Bombers can overcome this hurdle may define their offseason strategy.

The New York Yankees are in desperate need of left-handed power

The New York Yankees need to work on their deficiency in left-handed power if they want to make a comeback in the 2025 season. Their lineup, heavily skewed towards right-handers, faced challenges in maintaining a performance last year. They ranked 25th in MLB for batting average and struggled against right-handed pitchers in terms of OPS. They didn’t fully leverage Yankee Stadium’s right-field short porch, which is advantageous for left-handed batters, and instead heavily relied on Aaron Judge and an inconsistent Giancarlo Stanton to generate offense.

So, adding a left-handed hitter such as Cody Bellinger could help even out the lineup and make other teams reconsider their pitching tactics. While the Yankees struggle to take advantage of their ballpark’s dimensions due to a problem with roster building, other teams, like the Rangers and Astros, have thrived in the playoffs, using their lineups to capitalize on matchup advantages.

Historically speaking, the Yankees have always had left-handed hitters, from Babe Ruth to Robinson Canó, and this was sorely lacking in their performance in 2024—acquiring a left-handed power hitter would not just boost their offensive flexibility but also revive the faith of loyal Bronx fans. In the end, adding a proven left-handed bat like Cody Bellinger could not only rejuvenate their offense but also signal a commitment to assembling a more dynamic and complete team.