Yankees Predicted to Land Major News on Projected $182 Million Star
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The New York Yankees are hoping to re-sign Cody Bellinger.
The New York Yankees have been linked to several marquee free agents in ongoing MLB rumors, but the club faces their own challenges in re-signing a number of notable key players. New York’s offseason path will be heavily dictated by what 2-time All-Star Cody Bellinger decides to do in MLB free agency.
There continues to be a growing buzz that the Yankees will be able to re-sign Bellinger, but New York also faces competition from opposing clubs. The Athletic’s Andy McCullough offered a major prediction for every MLB team. New York re-signs Bellinger in the analyst’s latest predictions.
“Bellinger proved to be an excellent fit during his first season in The Bronx, and the Yankees appear interested in making a long-term commitment,” McCullough detailed in a November 25, 2025, story titled, “One Black Friday 2025 free-agent deal for every MLB team.”
“At 30, Bellinger has already been through so much in his career: from MVP to DFA to less flashy but still productive years with the Cubs and Yankees. His versatility in the field and adaptability at the plate make him a solid bet to stay productive during a lengthy deal.”
Here’s a look at the latest Yankees rumors and news amid MLB free agency.
Yankees OF Cody Bellinger’s Projected Market Value is a 6-Year, $182 Million Contract
Bellinger opted out of a three-year, $80 million contract and could be headed for an even larger payday. Spotrac projects Bellinger’s market value to be a six-year, $182 million contract.
Bellinger’s agent Scott Boras sounded optimistic that the star could re-sign with the Yankees.
“Really, he’s the only five-tool free agent outfielder,” Boras said of Bellinger’s future during a November 12, interview with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “And when you look at the ‘25 season, I’d say among all the free agent outfielders, he was the top gun of the class.
“… I think the Yankees are looking to improve, not subtract. So since Grisham and Bellinger were both on the team in that year.”
Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Cody Bellinger’s Future Amid Rumors: ‘We’re Very Interested in Bringing (Bellinger) Back’
Like the Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to several marquee free agents, including Bellinger. The Dodgers already have familiarity with Bellinger from his first six MLB seasons with the club. Despite buzz about the Dodgers and other franchises, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has maintained that the team wants to re-sign Bellinger
“We’re very interested in bringing [Bellinger] back,” Cashman noted, per Nightengale. “He’s going to have a lot of choices because he can do a lot of different things.
“He was a terrific addition for us last year … We’d be better served if we could retain him. But if not, we’ll have to look at alternative ways to fill it and see where that takes us.”
The Yankees already received good news with Trent Grisham accepting the team’s qualifying offer. Now, New York looks to bring back Bellinger which could end up being an expensive move.
Bellinger hit .272 with 98 RBI and 29 home runs in 152 appearances for the Yankees in 2025.
BREAKING: Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray in Trade with St. Louis Cardinals
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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray
MLB’s hot stove is cooking! After the first few weeks of the offseason were a little slow, as they usually are, front offices across the league are starting to make bold moves in attempts to improve their respective rosters.
The most recent bombshell came after ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Boston Red Sox are acquiring Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. Gray has a no-trade clause, but agreed to waive it for this deal. The Cardinals received two pitchers in the deal. Right-handed starter Richard Fitts and southpaw Brandon Clarke
Sonny Gray Heads to Boston in Blockbuster Offseason Trade
This past week has featured several trades across MLB that will have major implications in 2026.
The Mets traded for Marcus Semien earlier this week, and the Orioles linked up with the Angels for Taylor Ward.
In this major move, it’s the Red Sox who land the three-time All-Star in Gray. Sonny Gray posted a 4.28 ERA over 32 starts in 2025. He has a career 3.58 ERA in 13 MLB seasons. 2026 will mark Gray’s 14th season in baseball, and the Red Sox will serve as his sixth MLB organization that he’s been a member of.
It is expected that the Cardinals would be aggressive this offseason in the trade market, as there was a transition of front office power with Chaim Bloom taking over for John Mozeliak. How ironic is it that Bloom’s first major move as president of baseball operations has him sending an All-Star caliber starter to the team he used to be the top front office executive of.
GettySt. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray
Gray’s best season as a starter came in 2023 when he finished second in AL Cy Young voting with the Minnesota Twins. That stellar season landed him a three-year, $75 million contract with the Cardinals, which is set to expire after this season, but there is a 2027 team option that the Red Sox will now have to decide what to do with. The Cardinals are covering $20 million of Gray’s final $35 million on the contract for this season.
The immediate reaction from this trade is that the Red Sox added a much-needed No.2-3 starter to pair with ace Garrett Crochet. Boston was aggressive last season, and it paid off with a playoff berth for the first time in a few seasons.
This deal highlights that the Red Sox will be aggressive this offseason. Boston still has big decisions to make regarding third baseman Alex Bregman, and how they will address the issue at first base. However, this is a great first step in what should be a busy winter.
The Cardinals’ Side of This Trade
As for the Cardinals’ side of this trade. The major meaning is that the Cardinals are in rebuild mode. They likely won’t compete in the NL Central in 2026, but it also begs the question of when Nolan Arenado will be moved. It’s been reported that Arenado and Chaim Bloom are on the same page in terms of reaching a deal with a potential suitor.
St. Louis acquires Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke in this deal. Clarke is the fifth-ranked Red Sox prospect, and Fitts is also a young pitcher, but he got his feet wet this season as a starter. Fitts posted a 5.00 ERA in 10 starts with the Red Sox this season. He’s still just 25 years old.
The fascinating part of this deal is the Red Sox holding onto all of their top prospects, which still gives them one of the best farm systems in baseball.
