Yankees are once again being linked to former NL MVP

Could the New York Yankees try again to acquire Cody Bellinger?
The Yankees’ interest in Bellinger dates back to at least a year when he was a free agent. And now, the rumors are starting to circulate again.
Bellinger did not opt out of his contract with the Chicago Cubs for $27.5 million in 2025, which was an interesting move for a client of Scott Boras, who typically brings his players to free agency to test the market.
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As a result, Joel Sherman of the New York Post called Bellinger a trade candidate for the Cubs, who might look to cut payroll this offseason. He also suggested the outfielder and first baseman as someone the Yankees could be interested in.
According to Sherman, there was a “feeling among executives” at the general managers meetings in early November that the Cubs, who went just above the lowest luxury-tax threshold of $237 million this year, would like to go below $241 million, the first tier, in 2025.
In 2025, Bellinger’s contract will count for $26.7 million toward the luxury tax. If Bellinger were to pick up his $25 million player option in 2026, that would mean he‘s worth $52.5 million for the next two years, figures that Bellinger and Boras are telling the market they aren’t confident in receiving.
Bellinger, 29, hit .266 with a .751 OPS this season and his WAR dropped from 4.4 to 2.2 from 2023 to 2024. He may be a realistic option for the Yankees because they’d likely take on a lot of salary, minimizing the player package.
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Bridget Hyland may be reached at [email protected].