The New York Yankees have been scuffling along in the American League East Division lately and have been trying to rely on their star free agents for help. One of those free agent signings was Cody Bellinger, who played in the outfield on Sunday in a 7-1 loss to the Houston Astros.
Bellinger will earn a hefty base salary of $27.5 million in 2026, up from $27.5 million in 2025. He’s had a pretty good season, and it’s possible that he will leave the Yankees.
What Might Happen With Yankees’ Cody Bellinger?
In looking at Bellinger’s current situation with the Bronx Bombers, CBS Sports reporter R.J. Anderson offered some analysis regarding it.
“Bellinger has a player option for next year worth $25 million,” Anderson wrote. “It’s probably fair to envision him bailing following a third consecutive above-average season.
“Bellinger isn’t necessarily for everyone: he’s continued to trade pure exit velocity for higher in-zone contact rates, with his slugging output stemming from a pull-happy approach that may not result in as many home runs in ballparks that are less favorable to lefty hitters,” Anderson wrote.
CODY BELLINGER GUNS DOWN JOSE ALTUVE AT THE PLATE pic.twitter.com/cwp3XnpvwA
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 10, 2025
“Still, it helps that Bellinger is also a skilled defender capable of manning first, either outfield corner, and even some action in center.”
Is Bellinger Putting Up Good Numbers This Season?
Bellinger, who agent Scott Boras represent, originally signed a three-year, $80,000,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, including $80,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $26,666,667, according to Spotrac. As mentioned, Bellinger will earn a total salary of $27,500,000 and a dead cap value of $2,500,000.
He’s played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he won a Gold Glove Award, and the Chicago Cubs before landing with the Yankees. This season, Bellinger is hitting .272 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs. He’s got a slash line of .325/.485/.810 in 423 at-bats.
While his numbers are pretty solid this season, Bellinger’s outfield play can be unsteady at times. In Sunday’s loss to the Astros, Bellinger tried throwing home on a bloop single to left field.
After he picked up the ball, Bellinger lost control of it, and the ball slipped out of his hands. It made for an embarrassing moment for him and the Yankees, who were trying to keep the Astros from scoring more in the ninth inning.
Bellinger has a personal connection with the Yankees, too, as his father Clay played as an infielder-outfielder for New York between 1999-2001. His dad showed up on Saturday, August 9, for the Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Game at Yankee Stadium.
Bellinger, for the most part, has performed pretty well for New York. Fantasy players have been looking to get some inside guidance on how to use him in their leagues. It will be interesting to see what happens in free agency, especially with Boras heading up any activity involving Bellinger before the 2026 MLB season.