Jeff Passan hints at promising Yankees-Cody Bellinger development in offseason

Cody Bellinger has been an integral part of the New York Yankees' success this season. After an NL Rookie of the Year trophy in 2017 and earning NL MVP honors in 2019, the versatile 30-year-old's career has been a bit hot and cold.

To be fair, injuries definitely played a role, but there is also a reason why he had to settle for a Scott Boras special: a three-year $80 million deal loaded with opt-outs when he re-upped with the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2024 season.

There's also a reason the Yankees were able to acquire him for a song, sending Cody Poteet to the Cubs in what amounted to a mere salary dump. The nature of the trade, combined with Bellinger's fantastic return to form in 2023 and much more modest follow-up in 2024, made it unclear what the Yankees could expect from him in 2025.

As we've all seen, Bellinger has been a super important cog for the Yankees in all facets of the game, and has put those concerns to rest. The fear now is that he may opt out and bolt for greener pastures this offseason.

Jeff Passan provides a glimmer of hope for Cody Bellinger's Yankees future

Bellinger opting out now seems like a foregone conclusion, but fear not, ESPN Insider Jeff Passan's notes on his early free agency intel piece suggest that there might be a reason Bellinger sticks around in the Bronx.

Passan, like the rest of the world, is convinced that Bellinger will opt out after a season in which he is hitting .275/.329/.498 with 27 dingers and superb defense at all three outfield positions, as well as a few first base cameos, but also calls to attention the possibility of an extension.

Extending Bellinger will be pricey, but given the situations with some of the Yankees' other impending free agents, it would be money well spent. Trent Grisham will also be a free agent, and his breakout year should draw a lot of interest, even if there will also be skepticism as to his ability to repeat this level of performance.

Top prospect Spencer Jones is looking like a viable option to make the Yankees' 2026 Opening Day roster, but that doesn't diminish the importance of Bellinger. The lefty-swinger has some serious reverse splits, OPSing 1.032 against southpaws this season, which brings balance to a left-handed heavy lineup.

Lastly, Bellinger's versatility is yet another reason to want to see him in pinstripes for the long haul. With soon-to-be 38-year-old Paul Goldschmidt's contract expiring at the end of the season, there's a dream scenario where the Yankees could retain both Bellinger and Grisham while integrating Jones into the rotation as well, but taking advantage of Bellinger's ability to fill the first base vacancy.

A lot still has to play out, but its good to know that there's at least some smoke beginning to form regarding a Bellinger extension, and the situation will be worth monitoring moving forward.