A couple of months into his pinstriped profession, Cody Bellinger looks as if an ideal match for the Yankees.
The son of former Yankee Clay Bellinger, he was launched to the group’s championship or bust expectations at a younger age. He has been a boon to each the Bombers’ lineup — he crushed three homers in Friday’s win over the Cubs — and their defensive versatility, as his shoestring double play at Citi Subject final weekend continues to be being talked about across the group every week later.
On high of that, Bellinger’s carefree nature has allowed him to mix into the Yankees’ clubhouse with ease.
Added Aaron Boone: “I think Belli’s loved being here and loved playing here, and in a meaningful place to him going back to his childhood.”
Nonetheless, Bellinger is strictly dedicated to a one-day-at-a-time lifestyle. With that in thoughts, he has but to consider his future with the Yankees and the $25 million participant possibility he has for 2026.
“The true answer is it’s just so far ahead,” mentioned Bellinger, whose possibility could be purchased out for $5 million. “I’m excited about right now, clearly tomorrow, the All-Star break, and that’s actually it. It’s very cliché, however I actually deal with the day-to-day, and I management what I can management that day.
“That’s all I think about.”
Acquired from the Cubs, together with $5 million, for Cody Poteet in December, Bellinger can lock himself right into a second season with the Yankees this winter. Contemplating he’s all the time wished to play in New York, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him do this.
“I’ve been hearing it for a long time, including his agent, Scott Boras, saying, ‘Can you get him over here? He’s driving me crazy. He wants to be a Yankee,’” Brian Cashman mentioned after the commerce.
The choice selection could be to check free company, the place Bellinger inked his present, option-heavy, three-year, $80 million contract earlier than the 2024 season.
Relying on how Bellinger’s 2025 season ends, free company might end in a decrease common annual wage than his $25 million possibility. However it will possible land him prolonged safety if he stays wholesome.
One other wrinkle is baseball’s looming labor struggle.
With the collective bargaining settlement set to run out after the 2026 season and commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly pushing a wage cap — which might absolutely require a wage ground for gamers to even think about such a factor — it’s not clear what the game’s monetary panorama will seem like past the 2026 season.
Due to that, Bellinger might wish to prioritize long-term safety this coming winter.
Bellinger, who turns 30 on Sunday, mentioned he hasn’t put “any thought” into the potential affect baseball’s labor points might have on him. However he’ll as soon as it comes time to resolve on his possibility this offseason.
“That’ll be a thought when I get there,” mentioned Bellinger, who exercised a $27.5 million possibility earlier than being traded to the Yankees. “I think it’s too far ahead right now to say.”
For now, Bellinger is sticking to what’s proper in entrance of him, as he all the time does.
He mentioned he adopted that method when he joined the Cubs previous to the 2023 season, because the 2019 MVP’s six-year tenure with the Dodgers ended with some injury-riddled, down seasons.
“This game is so hard, so it’s like why would I think about anything else other than the fact that I’m getting ready for the game today?” Bellinger defined. “We play the hardest game in the world, so I’m preparing for the day, and that’s it.”
The Yankees have actually appreciated that mindset, with Boone utilizing phrases like “chill,” “grinder” and “gamer” to explain Bellinger.
“He’s a really good teammate, the right kind of pro that you want. There’s a lunch pail element to him,” Boone continued. “There’s a blue-collar way about him, but he’s also very laid back and easy to be around.”
It’s additionally helped that Bellinger has yielded spectacular outcomes.
Whereas his Yankees profession began off a bit gradual, he entered Saturday’s sport in opposition to his previous group with a .285/.340/.498 slash line, 16 house runs, 54 RBI, 9 stolen bases and a 131 wRC+.
With numbers like that, Boone, who will handle the American League in Atlanta on Tuesday, mentioned that he’s been making an attempt to make an All-Star case for Bellinger for just a few days. The skipper feels that the outfielder — Bellinger additionally performs first — has been “worthy,” even earlier than Friday’s three-homer barrage.
Different Yankees felt the identical means about Bellinger, with Carlos Rodón stating, “He’s my All-Star” after incomes his personal journey to Atlanta on Friday.
Bellinger, in fact, isn’t fearful in regards to the Midsummer Basic, as that’s one thing he can’t management.
For now, he’s simply centered on ending the primary half earlier than hopefully having fun with a robust second half and an extended postseason run within the Bronx.
“It’s a fun place to play,” mentioned Bellinger, who gained the 2020 World Collection with Los Angeles. “You show up to the yard and expect to win and got a bunch of guys in this locker room that have a bunch of experience. We’re all here for one goal.”
