The New York Yankees continue their search for pieces that will once again position the team as one of the clear contenders in MLB. They have a very specific plan to reinforce their outfield and add depth to their pitching staff. But beyond those two goals, there’s also a strong desire to bring Cody Bellinger back to the Bronx.
That doesn’t mean everything is going according to plan, and it has recently come to light that the Yankees have hit a major roadblock that could prevent Bellinger’s return.
Problems for the Yankees with Cody Bellinger
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees are facing obstacles in negotiations with Bellinger-a player represented by Scott Boras-which leaves the slugger’s final destination very much up in the air.
“I don’t think there’s any question that Bellinger is their number one guy,” Heyman said during a recent Bleacher Report livestream. “There is a gap right now in the talks. So that is not anything that appears to be close.”
Heyman pointed out that Bellinger is accustomed to playing in big-market teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers or Chicago Cubs, and it’s unlikely that will change at this stage of his career.
“Yankees, probably the favorite-he loved it there, I do believe,” Heyman said. “His dad played there, he thrived there, he fits there; he could play center, he could play first. They obviously have [Ben] Rice at first, center they’ve got [Trent] Grisham, but it’s better that they get a guy that can play all these positions. That’s why [Kyle] Tucker is really a backup plan for the Yankees.”
According to reports from The Athletic, other interested teams include the Dodgers and Mets, but the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants are also prominently in the mix alongside the Yankees.
Per the same reports, Bellinger is expected to land a seven-year contract worth $182 million.
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