Latest Cody Bellinger-Yankees intel hints Hal Steinbrenner ready to stretch budget

If your primary goal for the 2026 New York Yankees' free agency cycle was to find an outfielder whose postseason performance can match his regular season output, then you probably didn't want either Cody Bellinger or Trent Grisham back (and Kyle Tucker's contract likely made you uncomfortable, too).

Entering 2026 marred by clear instability in the outfield would've been less than ideal for the Yankees in the middle of Aaron Judge's prime, so as awkward as a seven-year Bellinger deal may eventually become, most fans were resigned to that reality and ready to thank Grisham for his meritorious service and send him on his way. Imagine their surprise when Grisham read Brian Cashman for filth and accepted the $22 million qualifying offer on Tuesday night.

No more Bellinger? No more 2027 certainty? No more Jasson Dominguez/Spencer Jones development? No more bullpen or rotation help?!

While forecasting the rest of the Yankees' offseason remains an awkward impossibility, the latest intel drop on Wednesday morning at least indicates that they really don't plan on Grisham holding them back from completing their outfield picture. According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Yankees remain the clear favorites for Bellinger's services, as uncomfortable as that deal might become.

Yankees still clear favorites for Cody Bellinger, even after Trent Grisham's return

The Yankees led Feinsand's list of suitors for Bellinger, ahead of the (likely in no order) Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Giants and Tigers.

"The Yankees and Bellinger were a perfect match, and a reunion here makes sense for both parties," Feinsand wrote. "Yankee Stadium is built perfectly for his swing, evidenced by Bellinger’s .912 career OPS in the Bronx, and his positional versatility gives manager Aaron Boone lineup options. New York is the clear favorite to sign Bellinger."

Typically, when the Yankees truly fixate on a free agent, they don't lose them — unless the bidding gets to $765+ million (and, in that case, you're not totally sure how fixated they are beyond the circus element of it all). Grisham's choice seemed to throw a wrench in things, but while it certainly could impact how complete a roster the Yankees can ultimately create, it doesn't seem to have mixed up the Bellinger market whatsoever. In fact, it may only have empowered them further.