Cody Bellinger was the New York Yankees’ second-best outfielder this past season, but there’s certainly a world where they’re forced to move on without him.
Bellinger’s five-WAR season is likely to result in a contract that easily clears $100 million in free agency. The Yankees, by all indications, still badly want to re-sign him. However, center fielder Trent Grisham accepted the $22 million qualifying offer late in November, which creates a number of awkward possibilities.
According to a Sunday report from ESPN insider Jeff Passan on Threads, it seems inevitable that either the Yankees will bring back Bellinger and trade one of Spencer Jones or Jasson Domínguez, or they’ll let the two-time All-Star walk.
“While the Yankees still want Bellinger, Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer would make his potential return a multipart move, because they’re unlikely to go into the season with Grisham, Bellinger, Aaron Judge, Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones,” wrote Passan.
“It opens the door for the (Los Angeles) Dodgers, (Philadelphia) Phillies, (New York) Mets and others to pursue the versatile Bellinger, who could be among the earliest big names to sign.”
Domínguez didn’t get nearly enough playing time for a 22-year-old former top prospect, as he was limited to 120 plate appearances after the All-Star break. Meanwhile, Jones clubbed 35 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A this season, and at age 24, it would be unjust to keep him in the minors all season if he keeps producing.
The winter meetings are approaching at the start of next week, as Sunday is the official start of the proceedings in Orlando. Based on what Passan is saying, the Yankees could either lose Bellinger by that time, or have him back and be forced to start thinking about how to resolve the logjam.
More MLB: Yankees Urged to Poach Blue Jays Homegrown All-Star by MLB Insider