Plenty has gone wrong for the New York Yankees in 2025. Injuries, bullpen meltdowns, inconsistent hitting—the list feels endless. But through all of it, Cody Bellinger has been the constant. The 30-year-old has been precisely the kind of steady, versatile, all-around contributor championship teams build around, and if the Yankees are serious about contending next year, keeping him in pinstripes has to be priority No. 1.
Bellinger didn’t just earn his paycheck this season—he’s earned himself a raise. The Yankees brought him in on a deal with a $25 million player option for 2026. He’s played so well that it’s a lock he’ll decline it. MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams ranked him No. 5 in his latest free agent power rankings, projecting that Bellinger could easily land a contract worth more than $100 million this winter.
And he’s right. Bellinger’s production, consistency, and defensive flexibility give him value beyond his slash line.
A Model of Consistency and Versatility
Bellinger’s resurgence isn’t a one-year fluke. After shoulder surgery derailed his swing and numbers in 2021–22, he’s now putting together three strong seasons. Coming into the weekend, he was hitting .276/.328/.496 with 20 home runs and 10 steals. His strikeout rate? Just 12.9%—one of the lowest in baseball and a far cry from the all-or-nothing approach that plagues many power hitters.
What’s more impressive is that he’s doing this without eye-popping exit velocity numbers. He’s not relying on brute force alone. Instead, Bellinger has rebuilt himself into a disciplined, contact-oriented hitter who can still leave the yard. He has posted a .283/.337/.481 slash line over nearly 1,600 plate appearances since 2023, delivering sustained, bankable production.
The Yankees have leaned on Bellinger all over the diamond this year—all three outfield spots and, when needed, first base. He’s been roughly average in center, above average in the corners, and when he played first base for the Cubs, the defensive metrics loved him (+5 Defensive Runs Saved, +1 Outs Above Average).
That kind of flexibility is rare. Aaron Judge has locked down right field, but Bellinger’s ability to handle center or slide to first when injuries hit gives the Yankees crucial roster depth. It also means the manager can keep more bats in the lineup without sacrificing defense.
Why the Yankees Must Keep Him
Bellinger’s player option technically sits at $25 million, but with a $5 million buyout, it’s effectively a $20 million decision—and that’s a no-brainer decline. He won’t have a qualifying offer attached this time, so more suitors will be willing to bid aggressively without worrying about draft pick compensation.
Adams’ projection—five or six years, topping $100 million—is realistic given his age, skill set, and positional flexibility. At 30, Bellinger would be just 35 or 36 by the end of such a deal. Teams pay premiums for players who can help now and still be productive for the length of their contracts.
That means the Yankees won’t be the only ones knocking on his door. Big-spending clubs with outfield needs—think the Giants, Mariners, or even a Dodgers reunion—could drive the price.
Bellinger has been a stabilizing force in a season where almost nothing else has gone according to plan. He’s hit for average and power, played plus defense across multiple positions, and brought a level of reliability the Yankees have lacked in other parts of the roster.
Losing him would create another hole in a lineup that already needs work. Retaining him locks in a key middle-of-the-order bat and gives the Yankees defensive options and roster flexibility that’s hard to replace.
If he is still employed, Brian Cashman has many problems to solve this offseason, but the easiest decision on his desk should be this one: pay Cody Bellinger and keep him in pinstripes. Letting him walk would be just another unforced error—and the Yankees can’t afford any more of those.
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