Bizarre conflicting Cody Bellinger reports emerge after Mets crash Yankees' party

On Sunday night, the New York Mets put a swift end to some potential dramatic rumblings, trading Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for three seasons of 35-year-old Marcus Semien. Semien upgrades their infield defense, but clogs a spot for their many emerging infield talents down on the farm. That will allow the Mets to think differently, likely dealing from their infield surplus to add starting pitching. It will also allow them to nudge the Yankees once again this winter, now that they have an outfield vacancy and a thirst for high-dollar contracts.

Or do they? What is Steve Cohen, exactly? Can he be capped? It seems he can be capped.

Cohen's Mets opening up a five-year hole in their already undermanned outfield seemed to lend immediate legitimacy to the idea that they planned to battle the Yankees for Cody Bellinger, as has been long rumored. The trade also turns them into an immediate Kyle Tucker suitor in an oddly limited market (the Dodgers want to go short-term, the Blue Jays are the supposed favorites, and who ... else ... is there?). But last winter, after giving Juan Soto the moon, the suite, and a lifetime of Talbot's gift cards, Cohen said excessive spending was "probably not" the "most optimal way" to run a team.

He can be convinced. He was coerced last offseason, when the once-in-a-lifetime Soto became a possibility. But, contrary to popular belief, blowing away the field at every position doesn't seem to be his favorite play. Not while he's building a soccer stadium. Not while he's trying to create a long-term physical footprint.

Add in Bill Madden's somewhat surprising revelation, and it seems those close to Cohen believe that if he does spend, it'll be to beef up the bullpen and rotation at the expense of the outfield.

Yankees may not have to worry about Mets in Cody Bellinger chase, even after Brandon Nimmo trade?

Yes, you read that right. The $6 million difference between Semien and Nimmo's AAVs really did matter to Cohen.

The Mets may still make a play for Bellinger as they watch the market unfold, but Sunday night's splash trade might not have pushed them very strongly in either direction. For now, it's the Yankees, followed by the Dodgers, the Phillies, the Blue Jays and the Angels watching and waiting. Brian Cashman still thinks he's in a strong position after the Trent Grisham backtrack. Time will tell if he's right, but maybe he (and Madden) know something about Cohen that seems baffling to the general public at first blush.