When the New York Yankees took a swing on Cody Bellinger last winter, they weren’t just filling a hole — they were chasing balance. Losing Juan Soto’s generational bat left a crater in the lineup, and Bellinger represented one of the few realistic ways to soften the blow. The gamble paid off. In his first year in pinstripes, the 30-year-old outfielder rediscovered his power, played reliable defense all over the field, and looked like a man fully comfortable under the bright lights of the Bronx.

Now, the problem is keeping him.

A Resurgence Worth the Risk

Bellinger’s 2025 season was the best version of what the Yankees had hoped for when they traded for him. He hit .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 13 steals — the kind of across-the-board production that made him an MVP back in 2019.

See Full Page