NEW YORK — The Yankees captain is not staying silent. He wants his outfield teammate back.
But across the negotiating table, a super-agent is facing mockery from rival executives. A retracted contract rumor has turned him into what one former MLB official called an “industry joke.”
The Cody Bellinger free agency saga has become the most fascinating chess match of the winter. On one side stands Aaron Judge, the face of the Yankees franchise. On the other stands Scott Boras, the most powerful agent in baseball history.
What happens next could define the Yankees’ 2026 season.
Judge emerges as the loudest voice in the Bronx
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Thursday that Judge is a “big advocate” for re-signing Bellinger. The Yankees captain has made his feelings clear. He wants continuity in the outfield.
This is not new. Judge made his stance public after the Yankees’ ALDS elimination in October. He mentioned both Bellinger and Trent Grisham by name.
“Grish and Bellinger, two guys that had incredible years,” Judge said at the time. “I hope we can run them back and see what happens.”
The Yankees already fulfilled half of that request. Grisham accepted the $22 million qualifying offer earlier this month. Now Judge is waiting for the front office to complete the reunion.
Heyman added that the Yankees are “pretty confident” they will retain Bellinger despite interest from the rival Mets. The organization believes it has an edge. The outfielder enjoyed playing in the Bronx. Yankee Stadium suits his left-handed swing perfectly.
What Bellinger delivered in 2025
Bellinger put together one of his best seasons in pinstripes. He slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI across 152 games. He added 13 stolen bases and played elite defense across all three outfield positions.
His 4.9 fWAR ranked among the best for outfielders in the American League. That production placed him ahead of free agents like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber in overall value.
Bellinger owns a career +21 Fielding Run Value and +37 Defensive Runs Saved in corner outfield. His versatility allowed manager Aaron Boone to deploy him in left, right and center throughout the season.
Over the last three seasons, Bellinger has hit .281/.338/.477 with 73 home runs in 412 games. The 2019 MVP has bounced back from the struggles that nearly derailed his career in 2020 and 2021.
Agent Scott Boras at the receiving end
While Judge lobbies for his teammate, Bellinger’s agent faces an entirely different kind of attention.
Barry M. Bloom of Forbes reported that Bellinger was seeking an eight-year, $400 million contract. The number stunned the industry. It was later retracted. Boras reportedly pushed for the report’s removal, insisting the figure was never accurate.
The damage was done. Former MLB executive David Samson unloaded on Boras during his podcast, “Nothing Personal with David Samson.”
“You have to know that Boras is ridiculous. He’s unreasonable. He doesn’t make sense. He’s actually an industry joke,” Samson said. “Scott Boras is out there somewhere asking for an insane amount of money and getting bailed out by older owners or newer owners, or anyone who somehow is subject to his spell.”
Samson did not stop there. He attacked the very notion that Bellinger could command elite money.
“Bellinger is absolutely delusional if he thinks he is a $50 million dollar player. He can’t be under any analysis,” Samson added. “No matter the ridiculousness fed by Boras. No matter what his free agent binder looks like, selling Bellinger to all these teams. There is no argument to be made anywhere that he is a $400 million player. Say nothing of a $50 million player.”
The market stalemate continues
Jack Curry of YES Network reported that no team has come close to meeting Boras’ demands for Bellinger. The market is moving slowly.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel projects Bellinger will land a six-year, $180 million contract. That would pay him $30 million annually. It is a significant number but far below the rumored $400 million figure that sparked industry ridicule.
Boras appears to be waiting for Kyle Tucker to sign first. Tucker’s contract will set the market ceiling for outfielders. Bellinger’s deal would slot in behind it.
The comparisons to other free agents are already being drawn. Kyle Schwarber signed a five-year, $150 million deal with the Phillies. Pete Alonso got five years and $155 million from the Orioles. Bellinger is younger than both players.
The Yankees’ internal debate over how far to go
Empire Sports Media reported that the Yankees want Bellinger back but on their own terms. They are not chasing him with the same urgency they showed for Juan Soto or Judge himself.
The outlet recommended offering Bellinger a four-to-five year deal at around $28 million annually. Their advice was blunt: if Boras demands a sixth year, walk away.
Brandon Nimmo’s contract serves as a cautionary tale. The Mets traded him just three years into an eight-year, $162 million deal. He still had $100 million remaining.
Bellinger turns 31 in July 2026. Teams are wary of paying into his mid-30s for a player whose production has fluctuated wildly across his career.
The Mets loom as a threat
The Mets have already stolen Juan Soto, Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes and Devin Williams from the Yankees over the past two offseasons. They could add Bellinger to that list.
After trading Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, the Mets have gaps in their lineup. Bellinger would fill one of them. Owner Steve Cohen has proven willing to spend at any price.
ESPN’s Davis Schoenfield predicted Bellinger would sign with the Mets for six years and $180 million. If that happens, Judge’s wish goes unfulfilled for the second straight winter.
The Yankees insist they are confident. But confidence alone did not keep Soto in pinstripes.
Judge is pushing. Boras is waiting. And somewhere in between, the fate of the Yankees’ outfield hangs in the balance.
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