Yankees Confident Cody Bellinger Won’t “Skip” to Mets like Juan Soto

Cody Bellinger smashed 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 152 games with the New York Yankees in the 2025 season.

Yankees Confident Cody Bellinger Won’t “Skip” to Mets like Juan Soto

Cody Bellinger and Juan Soto (Image via Yardbarker)

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It is no surprise that the New York Yankees want Cody Bellinger back. The Bronx Bombers have repeatedly expressed their desire to re-sign him. Amid their pursuit of him, MLB insider Jon Heyman expressed that the team are confident that he will not take the Juan Soto route and join the New York Mets.

Soto was the top name in the offseason last year. Following an impressive campaign with the Yankees in 2024, where he led them to their first World Series since 2009, he would become a free agent.

After weeks of talks and speculations, he penned down an enormous 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets and headed across town. The Dominican International was offered a 16-year, $760 million deal by the Yankees. However, he chose the Mets over them and joined their crosstown rivals.

With the departure of Soto, the Yankees turned towards Plan B. They would bring in Cody Bellinger through a trade deal with the Chicago Cubs. The outfielder went on to have an impressive showing in the 2025 campaign.

Bellinger slugged 29 home runs and had 98 RBIs from 152 games with a 272/.334/.480 slash line. In the offseason, he went 6-for-28 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs as the Yankees suffered an ALDS exit at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays.

In the offseason, Bellinger opted for free agency and opted out of his deal in favor of the $5 million buyout. During the General Managers’ Meetings, GM Brian Cashman expressed that the team was very interested in re-signing him.

However, as per YES Network’s Jack Curry, no team has come close to matching the demands set by Scott Boras, the agent of Bellinger. As per reports, Boras is seeking an 8-year, $400 million deal for the former National League MVP.

As per insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees have made him a priority. The insider claimed that the team are confident that, unlike Soto, Bellinger won’t end up joining the Mets.

The Yankees have made him their priority, and seem pretty confident that, unlike superstar Juan Soto, he won’t skip to Queens.

Jon Heyman said regarding Cody Bellinger

Heyman also added that Aaron Judge has been a big advocate for the team to re-signing Bellinger.

Austin Hays reported as backup option for Yankees if team fails to sign Cody Bellinger

After impressing the team with his batting and fielding abilities, the New York Yankees are keen on re-signing Cody Bellinger and making him a core part of the team. The name of former All-Star Austin Hays has come up as a backup option for the team if they fail to re-sign Bellinger.

Austin Hays and Cody Bellinger
Austin Hays and Cody Bellinger (Image via ClutchPoints/Newsday)

As per Jon Heyman, the American League East side has checked in on Hays. The 30-year-old took part in 102 games last season with the Cincinnati Reds and smashed 15 home runs. He had some great numbers against left-handed pitching.

Hays had a .319/.400/.549 slash line with a .949 OPS against lefties in 2025. 13 of his 15 home runs were also against left-handed pitchers.

The New York Mets have also checked on him. After losing some of their core players, the National League side is also looking to add some bats to their lineup. It remains to be seen where Hays and Bellinger end up next season.

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