The New York Yankees have been trying to re-sign Cody Bellinger, but it could be more expensive than initially thought.
Bellinger is one of the top free-agent hitters available and will be in line for a massive payday. However, his contract ask has been revealed, and it’s much more than expected.
MLB insider Barry M. Bloom of Forbes reported that Bellinger is looking for a contract that exceeds $400 million. Bloom adds that Bellinger’s hope is to land an eight-year deal, which would equal $50 million per season.
“Bellinger is looking for an eight-year deal worth $400m, Barry M. Bloom has learned,” Bloom wrote on X.
If Bellinger were to sign an eight-year deal worth $400 million, plenty of the money would have to be deferred. But, Bellinger even getting $400 million seems like a major surprise, as many expected his deal to come around $200 million, if not under.
Bellinger did have success in his lone season with the Yankees, which boosted his market. He hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs last season. The 30-year-old is a two-time MLB All-Star and was NL MVP in 2019.
Yankees Want Bellinger Back
New York acquired Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs last offseason, and the deal worked out tremendously.
Bellinger fit in nicely, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman revealed that the team would like to bring him back.
“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.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, meanwhile, also echoed Cashman’s words as he said he would love to have Bellinger back. But he knows Bellinger deserves the right to explore free agency.
“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.
“But he’s earned the right to get to this point of his career (with) free agency, (and) he’s still a relatively young man, so we’ll see what happens and we’ll see how it shakes out, but as far as the player and the person, he’s a good one.”
Bellinger won the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.
What Will Bellinger Get in Free Agency?
Although Bloom reported that Bellinger wants to get $400 million, it seems unlikely that it will happen.
ESPN MLB insider Kiley McDaniel projected Bellinger to sign a six-year, $165 million deal.
“There aren’t many potential core position players in this class, but Bellinger still being young for a free agent while fitting well at four positions should give him a robust market,” McDaniel wrote. “I see five or six years here, and I think he’ll clear $150 million.”
McDaniel’s prediction is well short of the $400 million Bellinger reportedly wants.
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