The New York Yankees might have found their most consistent bat of 2025 in Cody Bellinger—and yet, he’s talking like a player already packing his bags. With an opt-out looming this winter and no contract talks on the horizon, the former MVP made it clear he’ll go where the winning and the money are. And with Scott Boras representing him, that combination could easily take him far from the Bronx.
Bellinger, slashing .270/.325/.491 while playing all three outfield spots and some first base, has been one of the few bright spots in an inconsistent Yankees season. His steady production and defensive versatility make him the player a contending team would lock up early. Instead, Bellinger says the Yankees haven’t reached out, and his recent comments suggest he’s prepared to test the market without hesitation.
“I’m very adaptable,” Bellinger told NJ.com’s Randy Miller. “I’ve lived in a bunch of different places, but from the baseball side, I want to play with a bunch of guys that want to win.”
That’s not exactly a glowing endorsement of the Yankees’ competitive outlook. And when Boras is the one whispering in your ear, “win” usually means “win the bidding war.”
Scott Boras Factor Puts Yankees in a Dangerous Spot
Boras has made a career of extracting maximum value for his clients—often dragging negotiations deep into the winter to pressure owners into overpaying. It’s a strategy that works for players but can be a nightmare for front offices that want roster certainty before spring training. For the Yankees, it’s even trickier.
Brian Cashman’s roster already carries massive commitments to Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodón. If Bellinger opts out of his $25 million player option, Boras will seek a deal that matches that annual value and stretches into the kind of long-term contract that pushes well north of $100 million.
For a front office reluctant to exceed certain payroll thresholds—and with other needs in the rotation and bullpen—committing that kind of money could be considered too risky. That’s where Boras thrives: using other teams’ interests to force an uncomfortable decision. And based on Bellinger’s tone, he’s not looking to give the Yankees a hometown discount.
Reading Between the Lines
Bellinger insists his focus is on helping the Yankees secure a playoff spot, but his comments about wanting to play with guys “that want to win” and his comfort with moving to a new team are telling. This is a player already preparing the public narrative for an exit.
And while some will argue that this is how Boras clients operate—staying non-committal until the market forms—it’s hard to ignore the underlying message. The Yankees haven’t shown him they’re all-in on keeping him; in his mind, that’s a signal they’re not all-in on winning.
If Bellinger walks, the Yankees will lose a rare two-way asset—a left-handed hitter with power and defensive flexibility—to a market that will pay for exactly that profile. With Boras steering the ship, the highest bidder will be the destination.
The Yankees still have time to change the narrative. But as of now, the Boras playbook is unfolding exactly as expected, and Bellinger’s words make it sound like the Yankees are about to let one of their most valuable pieces slip away—not because they couldn’t keep him, but because they wouldn’t match the price of winning.
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