The New York Yankees have seen Aaron Judge practically carry their offense after losing Juan Soto. Meanwhile, Cody Bellinger is struggling and faces a decision in the near future.
Bellinger was one of the pieces the Yankees acquired in order to help replace Soto’s production. However, he has not been producing. He is hitting .221 with just 10 extra-base hits in 36 games. Bellinger is in year two of a three-year, $80 million deal. However, he has another payer option after the season, valued at $25 million.
While outlining surging and faltering Yankees’ players, NorthJersey.com’s Pete Caldera noted that Bellinger could trigger his player option, waiting for the market to rest instead of going into free agency after a down year.
“If the offense stays flat, Bellinger might consider triggering his $25 million option for 2026, looking for a market reset instead of entering free agency,” wrote Caldera.
Bellinger is a two-time Silver Slugger, two-time All-Star, Gold Glover and MVP Award winner. After a couple of down seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he resurrected his career with the Chicago Cubs. He slashed .286/.340/.475 with 44 home runs in 260 games. The Cubs traded him to the Yankees in the winter.
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The Yankees were hoping to get a similar version of Bellinger to help fill the void left by Soto. However, it has not worked out that way. If he triggers his player option, but does not turn things around, the Yankees could try moving him at the trade deadline. Bellingers future with the Yankees is not only reliant on what he decides to do with his player option, but also whether or not the Yankees want to pay him for the product he is giving them at the plate.
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