Cody Bellinger is among the notable free agents who remain unsigned with the start of Spring Training just over a month away.
Bellinger is coming off a productive year with the New York Yankees that saw him hit .272/.334/.480 with 25 doubles, 29 home runs and 98 RBI in 152 games.
The 30-year-old declined his player option at the end of the 2025 season to test the market, but was widely expected to work out a new deal with the Yankees.
That hasn’t been the case so far, and the Yankees are now preparing for Bellinger to sign elsewhere, via ESPN’s Buster Olney:
Contract negotiations between the New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger are at an impasse, league sources tell ESPN.
The Yankees were hoping to re-sign the veteran outfielder, who played well for them last season, but are now operating under the assumption that Bellinger is going to sign elsewhere
Bellinger is believed to be seeking a five-year contract with an average annual salary of more than $30 million per season.
The Yankees reportedly made Bellinger a contract offer, but it seemingly fell short of what he is looking for.
If Bellinger goes elsewhere, the Yankees could pivot to signing one of the top remaining free agents, such as Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette.
Could Dodgers sign Cody Bellinger?
Bellinger’s original team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, are said to have interest in a potential reunion with the two-time All-Star, but only if he is willing to accept a short-term contract.
That doesn’t appear likely at this point given that Bellinger is still holding out for more of a long-term deal.
Bellinger’s other former team, the Chicago Cubs, has been mentioned as a possible landing spot as well. However, they are presumably no longer an option to sign him after reportedly agreeing to terms with Alex Bregman on a five-year, $175 million contract.
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