The New York Yankees got a positive prediction on star free agent Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger had a solid first year in the Bronx, and the Yankees want to get him back. However, other teams have shown interest in Bellinger, and he could leave the Yankees.
Yet, former MLB general manager Jim Duquette predicts Bellinger will sign a six-year extension with the Yankees.
“I think he’s getting six years,” Duquette said on MLB Network Radio. “I still think the Yankees, even though there’s other teams that jumped in, I still cannot imagine that the Yankees will not be the final suitor on him.
“He was such a good fit, obviously, mostly hitting behind (Aaron) Judge. It doesn’t hurt that Judge had another MVP season. Whether Bellinger gets a lot of credit, some credit, no credit, however you want to term it. I mean, he had an over-5-WAR, 5-WAR season. That’s a hell of a year right there.”
Duquette served as the Mets’ general manager from 2003 until 2004 before working in the Baltimore Orioles front office. It’s a positive prediction from the former GM as the Yankees do appear to be going all-in on Bellinger, but he could get a lucrative long-term deal from another team.
Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in his first year with the Yankees.
Yankees Focused on Re-Signing Bellinger
New York has had a quiet offseason, but re-signing Bellinger is key for the team.
Bellinger is an important bat for the team, and MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch said the team’s priority is to re-sign the former NL MVP.
“The Yankees have been open about their desire to re-sign Bellinger, who was a strong fit with his athleticism, versatility and a demeanor that manager Aaron Boone has described as ‘blue collar-ish,’” wrote Hoch earlier this month. “The Yanks appear primarily focused on a reunion with Bellinger.”
Meanwhile, MLB insider Jon Heyman said on his weekly podcast on Monday that Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, are looking for a seven-year deal in free agency.
Bellinger is a two-time All-Star and was a World Series champion in 2020.
New York Wants Bellinger Back
The Yankees traded for Bellinger last offseason, and he was a key part of the team.
With Bellinger as a free agent, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said bringing him back is important.
“Cody Bellinger would be a great fit for us,” Cashman said at the Winter Meetings. “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.”
Manager Aaron Boone, meanwhile, also knows how important Bellinger is to the Yankees.
“What Cody brought to us last year, in so many ways … who he was in the room, his performance in between the lines on both sides of the ball, his athleticism, his versatility, who wouldn’t want a player like that?” Boone said.
Bellinger is a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and one-time Gold Glove Award winner.
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