Cody Bellinger would ‘absolutely’ return to Yankees
Last year it was Juan Soto.
This year it’s Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham.
For the second straight offseason, the Yankees have big questions about their outfield, with Bellinger and Grisham now just weeks away from testing 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 after Wednesday night’s loss to the Toronto Blue Jays that he wanted to discuss the future with his family and agent Scott Boras, but acknowledged he would “absolutely” like to return to the Yankees.
“I had an incredible time putting on this uniform, Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room, and it’s really special,” Bellinger said after the 5-2 loss in Game 4 of the ALDS.
Bellinger — whose father, Clay Bellinger, played for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001 — said he hasn’t spoken to general manager Brian Cashman.
“It was a fun group to be a part of,” Bellinger added. “I failed and that part stinks, for sure, because we had a really, really good group here.”
On Friday, ESPN reported that Bellinger planned to step down. Grisham, 28, did not speak to the media following Wednesday’s loss.
Bellinger and Grisham helped the Yankees fill the offensive production left vacant by last winter’s departure of Soto, who left for a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets.
The Yankees acquired Bellinger in a December trade with the Chicago Cubs as part of their post-Soto pivot.
The left-handed Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and an .813 OPS while providing elite infield defense. The versatile veteran spent significant time at all three outfield positions and also made seven appearances at first base.
Grisham, a two-time Gold Glove winner, arrived in the same trade with the San Diego Padres that sent Soto to the Yankees before the 2024 season.
While Grisham was primarily a bench player in 2024, he broke out this year with 34 home runs, doubling his previous career high. Grisham, a left-handed hitter, became the Yankees’ primary center fielder and their leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers.
“That’s one of the main reasons I was so excited about this club,” manager Aaron Boone said of Bellinger and Grisham after Wednesday’s loss.
“Really proud of who these guys were and are, and what they’ve become as players, as driving forces of our team. …. I’m grateful that I was able to handle both of those guys. Who knows? Hopefully either way I can continue to do so.”
The Yankees have Aaron Judge entrenched in right field, while Jasson Domínguez, 22, has made 100 appearances in left field this season despite losing playing time behind the veterans down the stretch.
Another in-house option is center fielder Spencer Jones, one of the Yankees’ top prospects, who finished the season at Triple-A.
Bellinger and Grisham are expected to be two of the top outfielders on the free agent market, headlined by Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs.
Spotrac projects Bellinger’s market value to be an average annual salary of $30.4 million and Grisham’s to be $12.1 million.
“It was fun watching them, fun learning from them, and hopefully we can beat them back,” Judge said. “We’ll see what happens.”
