CASHMAN STRIKES: Yankees Reportedly Close to $160 Million Cody Bellinger Signing; Dodgers Brace for Counter.vc
NEW YORK, NY – The Yankees have initiated the first major power-play of the winter, with reports surfacing tonight that General Manager Brian Cashman is nearing a monumental $160 million deal to re-sign outfielder Cody Bellinger. This single signature instantly shakes the Bronx, delivers a significant blow to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, and forces the baseball world to brace for a countermove in what is shaping up to be an explosive Winter War across America.
The deal, widely projected to be for six years and approximately $160 million to $165 million, would secure the left-handed bat and versatile defensive player who was the Yankees’ second-most valuable player in 2025 (5.1 WAR).
New York Strikes: Bellinger Stays in the Bronx
After declining his $25 million player option, Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, opened up his market, but the Yankees have successfully moved quickly to secure their familiar left-handed presence in the outfield.
- The Fit: Bellinger’s high-end defense in all three outfield spots and his success at Yankee Stadium (where he posted a .909 OPS in 2025) made his retention a critical component of the Yankees’ offseason.
- The Value: By signing Bellinger for a reported $160 million, Cashman avoids the expected $400 million bidding war for the offseason’s top target, Kyle Tucker, while still securing a needed left-handed All-Star.
Dodgers Brace to Counter: Plan B Is Gone
The most significant immediate fallout from the pending signing hits Los Angeles. The Dodgers, fresh off consecutive World Series titles, were reportedly eyeing a reunion with their former NL MVP as a highly desirable Plan B if they failed to sign their primary target, Kyle Tucker.
With Bellinger now seemingly off the board, the Dodgers are effectively forced into a corner:
- Go All-In on Tucker: Los Angeles will likely need to redouble their efforts to sign Kyle Tucker to an “unfathomable contract” to avoid a complete collapse of their outfield plan.
- Trade for a Star: The Dodgers could pivot to an expensive trade target, leveraging their deep farm system to acquire a frontline player like the Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm or the Guardians’ José Ramírez.
One signature could redraw MLB’s map. New York has struck first, locking down a major star and forcing their primary rival to react under pressure. Baseball now awaits a winter war erupting tonight, anticipating the massive countermove that Los Angeles must deliver to avoid losing their offseason momentum entirely.
