The clock’s ticking on spring training, and Yankees fans are watching the Cody Bellinger saga drag on with no end in sight. But here’s the breaking development: the Yankees just pulled a move they almost never make, and it could change everything.
The Bronx Bombers are now willing to include opt-out clauses in their offer to Bellinger—something the franchise seldom does. (Gerrit Cole famously had an opt-out situation in 2024, but opt-out arrangements are generally uncommon for Yankees contracts.)
What’s Actually Happening Right Now
As of today, the Yankees have a five-year, $155-160 million offer on the table. That’s over $31 million per season with zero deferred money. Bellinger? He wants seven years. That two-year gap has these negotiations stuck in neutral while both sides explore other options.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of walking away, New York is sweetening the deal with opt-out clauses, a nice signing bonus, and immediate cash—no accounting tricks. This is the Yankees essentially saying, “We really want you back.”
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Why This Matters for Bellinger
An opt-out gives Bellinger the best of both worlds. He gets financial security now, but if he crushes it in Year 2 or 3, he can bolt back to free agency and chase an even bigger payday. It’s the same strategy he used with the Cubs, and it worked perfectly—he just had his best season in years.
The numbers back up why both sides want this done. Bellinger hit .272 with 29 homers and 98 RBIs last season. His 4.9 fWAR was second on the team behind only Aaron Judge. At Yankee Stadium specifically, he posted a ridiculous .909 OPS—that short right field porch is basically made for his left-handed swing.
The Real Pressure Point
Spring training starts in less than a month. Every day that passes without a deal increases the tension. The Yankees are talking to the White Sox about Luis Robert Jr. and the Cubs about Nico Hoerner. Bellinger’s camp knows this. The Mets and Dodgers are lurking, too.
Reports swung from “negotiations at an impasse” over the weekend to “talks continuing today” by Monday. That tells you everything—neither side wants to blink first, but neither wants to walk away either.
What Happens Next
The opt-out offer shows the Yankees are willing to bend, but not break. They’ll go five years, not seven. Bellinger has to decide if guaranteed money now plus flexibility later beats holding out for that extra security.
For Yankees fans, this is the most telling sign yet: when this team breaks its own rules, they really, really want the player. Whether Bellinger takes the hint is the only question left.
Vikas Tiwari, writer and editor focused on Yankees news, rumors, trade updates, and game coverage, emphasizing accuracy, sourcing, and clarity.
