The soap opera between Cody Bellinger and the Yankees continues. Neither side is letting up in its interest in the player coming to the Bronx, but it is the franchise that has the upper hand in the negotiations for one simple reason: time. Weeks go by and the player has not managed to sign as a free agent, so there is more likelihood that he will accept the latest and new offer from the New York organization.
Initially, the outfielder was priced at over $300 million, a figure that no franchise has been willing to pay. Bellinger made the mistake of not giving in to his demands, because he was moving further and further away from the teams interested in him to the point that he has been ruled out as an option by many.
With doors closed on several fronts for asking for a high amount, Cody faces two scenarios: reduce the amount he was asking for in view of the urgency of the closing of signings and sit down to negotiate with the Yankees, the only franchise that has not taken its finger off the pulse to hire him.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Bronx Bombers are going after Bellinger with a proposal that includes an annual salary of $30 million for a period of six to seven years.
The Yankees are shaping up to be a very big threat for Bellinger; I think that’s where he’ll eventually end up signing. I don’t see any other team, aside from the Mets, as a serious threat to sign him
Bichette, new object of desire for the Yankees
From being a rumor in the final stretch of the offseason, it is beginning to take on a serious tone. Bo Bichette’s name was thrown around to put pressure on Bellinger; however, as negotiations between the player and the organization have cooled, the Yankees are considering signing him in case Cody rejects the latest offer.
The Yankees and their No. 1 target, Cody Bellinger, have exchanged multiple proposals but have not been able to close the gap enough to rule out other possibilities, either for Bellinger or for the Yankees themselves, who are now considering star infielder Bo Bichette more seriously
Bellinger to the Dodgers?
If Cody declines the Yankees’ offer, the Cubs and Dodgers would step in to get him back on their rosters. They would do so on a similar budget, but with fewer years on the contract.
Bellinger is receiving interest from his former teams, the Cubs and Dodgers, among others, while the Yankees are considering different major reinforcements for their lineup, particularly Bichette
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