Jeff Passan on Threads responded to a fan’s comment about the Yankees outfield moving forward with one of their top prospects Spencer Jones, as well as the luxury tax and whether that determines the Yankees signing Bellinger or not, in which Passan replied stating in relation to the Yankees pursuit of Bellinger that; “until his price drops, the Yankees don’t seem inclined to budge.”
Julian Guilarte via X
Passan also noted how “teams want guys on their own terms” and that the AL East could change that standpoint, but highlights how everything right now is “very fluid” in terms of the MLB offseason up to this point. It’s also important to note that the MLB is facing a potential lockout in 2027 with the expiring CBA agreement between the league and its players’ union on December 1st, 2026.
Passan bringing up the AL East, the Yankees’ competition, is important because the AL East, outside of the New York Yankees, has been one of, if not the most, active this offseason in terms of trades and free agent signings.
This ties into the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays signing starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, as well as right-handed reliever Tyler Rogers, and their heavy involvement in the free-agent sweepstakes for big hitters such as Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette.
The Baltimore Orioles, who won only 75 games last year, finishing in last (5th place) in the AL East, made significant upgrades of their own, signing free agent first baseman Pete Alonso away from the New York Mets at the MLB Winter Meetings, trading for Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, as well as trading for Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher, Shane Baz.
Passan also added that, as it relates to the Yankees, they have the outfield depth in terms of Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones to fill an outfield alongside Aaron Judge, but acknowledges how the indisputable fact remains that the Yankees are a “demonstrably better team with Cody Bellinger in pinstripes” versus without him, states Passan.
Now, if the Yankees went out and signed Kyle Tucker to replace Bellinger, that would make them a better team without Bellinger. But reports, such as Jon Heyman, have stated the Yankees main target is Bellinger. However, what Passan is reiterating is the mutual understanding that the Yankees internal replacements for Cody Bellinger or outside additions not named Kyle Tucker don’t necessarily make them a better team, and Passan’s statement there is a universally agreed upon concept, and points to the importance of Bellinger’s free agency as it relates to the effect it has on the Yankees.
Therefore, Passan confirms the Yankees despite all of this are refusing to “give in” essentially to Bellinger and his agent Scott Boras demands, and remain firm in terms of negotiations as to where they are at during this point in time.
Passan also stated on Threads that this belief isn’t just tied to Bellinger and the Yankees, but is shared across the league regarding other big free agents he cites, such as “Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker.” Passan even states that this could lead to a player “going for a shorter term, opt out heavy deal we’ve seen work for Pete Alonso, Matt Chapman, and for pitchers, Blake Snell.”
Julian Guilarte via X
As to how that impacts the Yankees’ plans with Bellinger the rest of this free agency remains to be seen, but based on this latest report from Passan, the Yankees are unwilling to at this current time “budge” from their contract standpoint with Cody Bellinger. The same applies for Bellinger and his agent Scott Boras. The only question remaining as we head into the New Year is who blinks first?
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