The New York Yankees suffered a quick exit from the playoffs, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS in four games. Now, they will have to assess their roster, with one of their main concerns being the retention of superstar slugger Cody Bellinger.
The Yankees should be the favorite to retain him, but Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter believes there could be a serious contender for him: the San Francisco Giants.
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“Jung Hoo Lee (-18 DRS, -5 OAA) and Heliot Ramos (-6 DRS, -9 OAA) were two of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball in 2025, so while the conversation here has frequently been what type offensive impact Bellinger might have on a team, he would also represent a massive defensive upgrade for the Giants,” Reuter wrote.
Reuter continued, stating the Giants have put out big money for the past couple of years, citing the extension of Matt Chapman and the signing of Willy Adames.
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“After years of whiffing on high-profile free agents, the Giants convinced Matt Chapman to sign a long-term extension and then reeled in Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million deal last winter,” Reuter noted.
With this in mind, the Yankees need to weigh how much keeping Bellinger is worth to them. Considering what he did for the team this year, it seems clear they need to keep him no matter what. Hopefully, they do; otherwise, they’ll have to get someone big to fill Bellinger’s shoes.
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