The New York Yankees have reportedly put forth a significant multi-year contract offer to free-agent outfielder, with an average annual value north of $30 million. According to sources familiar with the talks who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity, Bellinger’s camp is seeking a seven-year commitment as negotiations continue.
Should the deal be completed at that price point, Bellinger would rank among the highest-paid outfielders in baseball, joining names such as Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts. At present, Christian Yelich sits just outside that group with an average annual salary of $26.9 million.
Yankees executives have made it clear they want to keep Bellinger in New York, pointing to his strong defense in left field and his ability to lengthen the lineup, particularly hitting behind Judge. The extended nature of the negotiations indicates both sides are actively working toward common ground, with Bellinger seemingly open to remaining with the club.
Bellinger’s representatives may be using recent free-agent contracts as leverage, including first baseman Pete Alonso’s five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber’s five-year, $150 million agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies. Both contracts carry average annual values around $30 million, signaling a market standard that could influence Bellinger’s negotiations.
The 30-year-old outfielder is coming off a strong season in which he hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs, producing a 5.1 WAR. That performance placed him among a small group of Yankees outfielders over the past decade to reach those benchmarks, and he finished 14th in American League MVP voting. His defensive flexibility also gives New York coverage in center field, right field, and first base.
That said, the Yankees may point to the league’s past hesitation to offer Bellinger long-term deals. After capturing the National League MVP award with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019, he was non-tendered three years later and signed a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. He later re-upped with Chicago on a three-year, $80 million deal, then declined to enter free agency following a productive 2024 season, ultimately being traded to the Yankees in a cost-saving move that shifted most of his contract to New York.
The recent Alonso and Schwarber deals are expected to be central reference points as talks continue. Bellinger entered free agency after opting out of the final year of his contract, which would have paid him $25 million. During the Winter Meetings, his agent Scott Boras indicated that eight teams had expressed interest in signing him.
Boras is well known for securing long-term, high-value contracts for outfielders, including deals for Jacoby Ellsbury and Brandon Nimmo. With the free-agent market narrowing and comparable contracts already in place, Bellinger’s leverage may be increasing.
Beyond Bellinger, the Yankees have also been linked to free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, though questions remain about his defensive fit. As it stands, New York’s left-field depth includes switch-hitting prospect Jasson DomÃnguez, who remains talented but inconsistent, along with Spencer Jones, whose power is intriguing despite concerns over strikeouts.
Overall, the Yankees have had a relatively quiet offseason, largely retaining their core from last year. They’ve brought back players such as Trent Grisham and Amed Rosario while continuing to explore upgrades to the starting rotation. The organization appears focused on staying competitive by building off its existing roster rather than pursuing a full overhaul.
