Major League Baseball’s free agency period is here, with eligible players now able to sign with any MLB organization that they choose.
The New York Yankees’ offseason is likely to be under a microscope, as the front office has several decisions to make with key free agents. Some of the players set to hit the open market are Devin Williams, Luke Waver, Paul Goldschmidt, Trent Grisham, and outfielder Cody Bellinger.
Cody Bellinger opted out of his current contract shortly after the season, as expected, in search of a longer-term deal. Now it’s time for the Yankees to make the decision whether to meet his asking demands or let him walk and allow another team to sign him.
Cody Bellinger Receives $175 Million Contract Prediction
The Cody Bellinger free agency sweepstakes is one of the biggest storylines in MLB this offseason, as his contract is expected to be one of the top-10 deals handed out in terms of total value.
In a recent prediction piece by Bleacher Report, writer Zachary Rymer predicts which free agents may be the first to sign and how much they could potentially receive. Cody Bellinger is featured, receiving a seven-year, $175 million contract to stay with the Yankees.
“Bellinger’s old man famously played for the Yankees back in the day, and he looked like an ideal fit for the organization long before he actually went there and revived his career. It’s not all because of Yankee Stadium, but the .909 OPS he had there this year does reflect how well his swing fits there.”
“Prediction: Re-signs with Yankees on 7-year, $175 million contract”
This is Bellinger’s third straight season of being an above-average hitter. In 152 games this season, the 30-year-old outfielder hit .272 with 29 home runs, 25 doubles, and an OPS+ of 125. He may not be the MVP candidate he was back in the late 2010s, but Bellinger has not posted an OPS below .700 since the 2022 season.
Cody Bellinger Provides More Than Just a Bat
Cody Bellinger’s contract prediction is massive because he is more than just a power hitter. Bellinger comes with strong defensive versatility, as he can play all three outfield spots and even first base if needed. He’s also a quality baserunner who is still relatively fast at 30.
Another thing to note about Bellinger’s free agency trail is that he is a client of Boras Corporation. Agent Scott Boras is known to pull his players out of their current deal in search of a more lucrative deal. In a similar scenario to that of the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, Bellinger opted out of his current deal almost immediately after the season ended.
Bellinger’s 29 home runs and bWAR of 5.1 are the highest marks of his career since winning the MVP in 2019. That shows how well Cody Bellinger can perform in Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees should meet his contract demands if he’s going to continue to be that valuable as a player in the future.
If the Yankees lose Trent Grisham to free agency before Bellinger signs, it feels like almost a given that he will return to pinstripes.
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