Yankees might've just gotten new Cody Bellinger insurance plan on the trade market

With Trent Grisham expected to reject the New York Yankees' qualifying offer, fans can probably expect that to be an official free agency departure by the time the Winter Meetings arrive. That, ostensibly, clears a better path for them to re-sign Cody Bellinger.

But we know Belli has a number of other big-spending suitors reportedly eyeing him, such as the Mets, Phillies and Dodgers, among others. It's unclear if the Yankees are ready to engage in a bidding war for a player turning 30 years old given their aging roster, but there's also the reality that it's hard to envision them losing Bellinger and surviving. He was so instrumental after the departure of Juan Soto that it's almost a guarantee the Yankees will be downgrading yet again if he walks.

Unless ... an unexpected trade candidate hits the market! Most Yankees fans are in agreement that they want Bellinger back, but that's up to Hal Steinbrenner's mood and the free agency gods. The next best thing? Trading for Minnesota Twins All-Star Byron Buxton.

According to reports, Buxton is reportedly considering waiving his no-trade clause — something he said he wasn't willing to do ahead of this year's deadline — if the Twins' roster teardown continues, according to The Athletic.

If that's the case, Brian Cashman is already probably preparing to make an offer. Though Buxton has a lengthy injury history and has appeared in more than 125 games just twice in his career, he's as impactful as it gets from a production standpoint. He was an All-Star in 2025 thanks to his impressive first half, and he logged the most games (126) of his career since 2017. He finished with a .264/.327/.551 line, 35 homers, 83 RBI and 24 stolen bases.

His strikeouts are a problem (28.6% career rate) and he isn't as versatile as Bellinger ... but a 4.9 WAR coupled with above-average defense in center field on a $15 million AAV through 2028 is pretty much as good as you're going to get at that price/talent point.

Though Buxton's trade value is as high as its even been, the Twins don't really have a leg to stand on. If he tries to force his way out, they're losing leverage. If they continue to sell key pieces (Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez are others speculated to be on the move), they're losing leverage. If they're looking to save money because of the possible ownership transfer, they're losing leverage.

Cashman has made the Twins a familiar trade partner with the Yankees over the last decade. Perhaps this can be the exclamation point deal for the Yankees if they need to make it.