Yankees' Cody Bellinger to Opt Out of Contract and Hit Free Agency, per Report - CBS Sports
Cody Bellinger will decline his $25 million 2026 player option to pursue a long-term contract after a strong 2025 season with 29 home runs and a .814 OPS, sources say.
- Following the Yankees' ALDS elimination on Wednesday, Cody Bellinger plans to decline his $25 million player option and test free agency this winter, per Jorge Castillo of ESPN.
- He signed a three-year, $80-million deal that carried the option enabling this move, and Bellinger is represented by Scott Boras, who often directs clients to free agency.
- In 2025, Bellinger produced a.272/.334/.480 line with 29 homers, 98 RBIs and 13 steals, tying for 18th in MLB outs above average with 7.
- The Yankees face a choice over whether to meet Bellinger's contract demands or lean on younger options as Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones near readiness, while a bidding war could inflate his price.
- Outside New York, suitors like the San Francisco Giants could pursue Bellinger, whose career resurgence contrasts with a.188 postseason performance in seven games.
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New York Mets linked to Yankees' 29 Home Run Slugger
Baseball is officially over in New York; both the Yankees and Mets have been eliminated from the MLB playoffs. That means it’s time for both franchises to think about what lies ahead in the offense. With the recent news of Yankees’ star Cody Bellinger opting out of his contract with the Yankees, the pressure is now on the Yankees to re-sign him. Bellinger is set to be a free agent and hit the open market. Bellinger has been an offensive force fo…


Cody Bellinger would ‘absolutely’ return to Yankees, but his and Trent Grisham’s possible departures leave outfield questions
NEW YORK — Last year, it was Juan Soto. This year, it’s Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham. For the second offseason in a row, the Yankees have big questions about their outfield, with Bellinger and Grisham now a few weeks away from being able to test free agency. Bellinger holds a $25 million player option for next season, and opting out would likely allow the 30-year-old to cash in after a productive first year in pinstripes. Bellinger said afte…
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