The New York Yankees rolled the dice when they acquired Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs during the offseason, banking on the former MVP to bolster their lineup. While Bellinger has delivered above-average production in 2025, his performance hasn’t quite recaptured the brilliance of his 2019 MVP season. Still, with a .275 batting average, 25 home runs, 79 RBIs, and just 66 strikeouts in 477 at-bats, Bellinger has proven his worth—and set himself up for a pivotal decision as he approaches free agency this winter.
Bellinger’s current contract includes a $25 million player option for 2026, but the buzz around Major League Baseball suggests he’s poised to opt out in pursuit of a lucrative, long-term deal. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand predicts that Bellinger will indeed decline the option, capitalizing on his resurgent 2025 campaign. “After a step back in 2024, Bellinger’s move to the Bronx has been a success: He’s hit 24 home runs with 75 RBIs and an .810 OPS in 120 games for the Yankees,” Feinsand noted. “With one final option remaining on the three-year, $80 million deal he signed with the Cubs in February 2024, Bellinger is likely to parlay his strong season into a new long-term deal in free agency.”
The Yankees, however, face a dilemma. With a stable of promising young talents like Spencer Jones waiting for their chance, the team must weigh whether to pursue Bellinger or trust their prospects to fill the void. Jones could theoretically replace Bellinger’s production, but banking on an unproven rookie to match the veteran’s output—a career marked by consistent power and defensive prowess—feels like a gamble. Despite this, some analysts believe the Yankees may let Bellinger walk. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report boldly predicted that Bellinger will not only opt out but also sign a three- or four-year deal with the San Francisco Giants. “Bellinger has re-harnessed his slugging well enough that he’ll probably decline [the option] and set his sights upon another 3/$80M or better type of deal,” Miller wrote.
Bellinger’s recent performance only strengthens his case for a big payday. As of August 28, he’s been red-hot, collecting seven hits in his last 10 at-bats, a sign that he’s peaking at the perfect time. A strong finish to the 2025 season could be the key to unlocking the kind of contract he’s seeking. MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan emphasized this point, naming Bellinger among 10 stars who need to close the campaign on a high note. “Two years after signing a three-year, $80 million deal with opt-outs, Bellinger is expected to make another run at free agency,” Harrigan wrote. “His chances of eclipsing his last deal will be much greater if he avoids a season-ending slump like the one he had to start 2025, slashing .198/.270/.340 over his first 30 games for the Yankees.”
For the Yankees, Bellinger’s potential departure could sting. His blend of power, contact, and versatility has been a stabilizing force in their lineup, and losing him to a rival like the Giants would be a bitter pill to swallow. As the season races toward its climax, all eyes will be on Bellinger—not just for his contributions to New York’s postseason push, but for the decision that could reshape his career and leave the Yankees scrambling to fill a void in their roster.