Fans struggling to comprehend wild Yankees update after Cody Bellinger 'impasse'

To date, the New York Yankees have done nothing this offseason. That assessment is not harsh, either, because we cannot call retaining Trent Grisham, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, Paul Blackburn and Amed Rosario a productive plan. Nor is adding Cade Winquest and Paul DeJong. All this means is that the Bombers are "running it back" with a worse version of their 2025 squad.

That'll especially be the case if the "impasse" with Cody Bellinger is real. It was reported over the weekend that the Yankees were under the impression Belli was going to sign elsewhere after the two sides had hit a wall in negotiations.

Per reports, the Yankees have a five-year offer on the table in between $150-$160 million. Bellinger and agent Scott Boras reportedly want seven years and over $200 million. It's as clear as day the Yankees will not be budging there.

So what's the plan if Bellinger is no longer an option? Jon Heyman of the New York Post gave us a bit of a hint with his latest update on the situation.

"The parties spoke through the weekend, but the difference in length (and thus total dollars) is great enough that Bellinger is also weighing alternative teams while the Yankees are considering star free agents Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker while also discussing trades for at least four other position players."

Most fans don't believe the Bichette/Tucker rumors for a second since, more than likely, both will command more money than Bellinger. At the very least, all three are in the same range, and Bichette and Tucker are lesser seamless roster fits. But as for that latter part from Heyman ... FOUR other position players are being explored via trade?!

Nico Hoerner is the No. 1 option fans have latched onto as that buzz gained steam following the Chicago Cubs signing Alex Bregman. But we're still trying to figure out why the Cubs would trade him when he's a free agent after 2026 and they are contending for a World Series right now.

Heyman also name-dropped Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox and ... God help the Bronx if that happens. You'll see cars flipped over and sent ablaze if that's the Yankees' path post-Bellinger.

He also loosely mentioned Teoscar Hernandez and the previous offseason rumor that the Dodgers were shopping him, but didn't go beyond that. As for a potential fourth option? That's where Heyman stopped. But who else could it be? What other impact players are all of a sudden available that weren't weeks ago?

Is Cashman actually operating in the shadows? Or is he leaking vague alternatives to the media with hopes Boras caves and Bellinger accepts the Yankees' standing offer (if it's still even available at this point)?

Color us the most confused we've been this offseason. First, a Bellinger reunion was just a matter of time. Then other big-time suitors entered the mix. Then we didn't hear much beyond that. Then silence. Then the Yankees and Bellinger were at an impasse. Two days later, they're still engaging in conversations ... and the Yankees have upwards of five calls out to other teams regarding potential trades (if we're counting the Brewers-Freddy Peralta buzz, too).

All we have to say? Piss or get off the stove.