Yankees Re-Sign Cody Bellinger

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger has agreed to a contract with the New York Yankees. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the financials: five years, $162.5 million, which keeps Bellinger in pinstripes through his age-35 season.

Bellinger entered the offseason as one of the most sought-after bats on the market. After a pair of short-term “prove-it” deals with the Cubs and Yankees, he has finally landed the long-term contract he and agent Scott Boras have been seeking.

The deal includes a $20 million signing bonus and opt-outs after the second and third seasons, per Passan. Nightengale adds that those opt-outs would shift back one year if a lockout occurs.

From a fit standpoint, the fit makes sense. Bellinger’s left-handed swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right field, and his ability to play both the outfield and first base gives the Yankees valuable flexibility.

So, what does this mean for the Mets?

It was no secret that David Stearns and the Mets front office were monitoring Bellinger’s market. Reports have linked the Mets to Bellinger several times and he was viewed as a potential option to rotate through the outfield and possibly replace Pete Alonso at first base.

How aggressive the Mets truly were is unclear. But recent roster moves help explain why they ultimately stayed on the sidelines. According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, the Mets believe their position-player group is already set after acquiring Luis Robert Jr. on Tuesday, and league sources do not expect them to pursue another big-money bat.

With Robert now in the mix and Carson Benge waiting in the wings, Sammon reported that the Mets are comfortable with their internal left-field options, including Tyrone Taylor, Brett Baty, and Benge, with David Stearns leaving the door open for Benge to compete for a roster spot this spring.

Ultimately, committing five years to a player entering his age-31 season was a risk the Mets chose to let the Yankees take.

With Bellinger off the board, one of the final major dominoes has fallen. The only player still remaining in MLB Trade Rumors’ Top 10 free agents is Framber Valdez, while the highest-ranked hitter left is Eugenio Suárez at No. 20 overall.

The post Yankees Re-Sign Cody Bellinger appeared first on Metsmerized Online.