Platoon options the Yankees could pivot to if Cody Bellinger walks
For most of the offseason, a reunion between Cody Bellinger and the Yankees seemed like a sure bet.
Both had expressed interest in returning after Bellinger put together a splendid debut season in the Bronx, but the team and the free agent have yet to reach a deal. The Yankees have already offered Bellinger five years and an average annual value above $30 million, but the versatile outfielder and his agent, Scott Boras, are looking for more.
With time remaining to reach an agreement — pursuing marriage still makes sense for both parties — Bellinger’s dragging free agency begs the question: What can the Yankees do in left field if he signs elsewhere?
One option would be to move on to another high-profile free agent, as Kyle Tucker is also still available. Tucker is a younger and better hitter than Bellinger, but the Yankees have only shown preliminary interest in him this offseason. The Mets, meanwhile, are offering Tucker a short-term contract worth $50 million per season.
If Bellinger leaves, there’s a better chance the Yankees roll with one of their young outfielders, Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones, in left. Relying on either would carry risks — which gives Bellinger and Boras some leverage — because Domínguez hasn’t proven he can play adequate defense and Jones still has swing-and-miss concerns after a monstrous season in the minors.
This plan, which surely won’t excite a fan base already frustrated by a quiet offseason, should also come with a right-handed platoon bat, as Domínguez is a hitter who is better from the left side. Jones is left-handed.
With that in mind, here are some free agent options that could be a good fit for the Yankees if Bellinger bolts.
AUSTIN HAYS
The Yankees have expressed interest in Hays if they need a Bellinger backup, as he had a .949 OPS against lefties last season and owns a career mark of .819. Hays isn’t the greatest defender in the world — he had an above-average putback and -2 defensive runs saved on left last season — but he’s more reliable than Domínguez at this point.
HARRISON BADER
The Yankees also took notice of their old friend Harrison Bader, who wore pinstripes in 2022 and 2023. The Bronxville native is hoping for a day job as a center fielder, but the Yankees have fellow Gold Glover Trent Grisham, and Bader spent time in left with Minnesota last year. He could not only share starts with Domínguez, but also serve as a late-inning defensive replacement for The Martian. However, Bader hasn’t hit lefties well over the past two years.
MIGUEL ANDUJAR
A once-promising Baby Bomber, Andujar is coming off a solid season in which he hit .318 with an .822 OPS, 10 home runs and 44 RBIs in 94 games for the A’s and Reds. This includes a .986 OPS against lefties. The problem is that Andujar is still not a solid defender, as the former full-time third baseman turned utilityman had -3 OAA and DRS in 2025.
WILLI CASTRO
Castro is coming off a bad year, and he’s a bit like Andujar defensively: he can play multiple positions, but not well. That said, left field isn’t the worst spot for Castro, and he’s been linked to the Yankees in the past. The switch hitter doesn’t have a long history of success against lefties, but he had a .752 OPS against them in 2025.
