Cody Bellinger shares encouraging one-word message on return to Yankees

The New York Yankees fell in the ALDS to the Toronto Blue Jays, who went on to lose the World Series in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the most expensive team in baseball winning the World Series, the Yankees' offseason plans can't be stagnant.

Whether it's by way of trading for a superstar like Tarik Skubal or adding to the roster via free agency, the Yankees need to have a busy winter if they want to contend with the best teams in baseball.

A good start would be retaining Cody Bellinger, who opted out of his deal with the Yankees. While he's now a free agent, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com shared Bellingers' encouraging one-word message on a potential return to the Yankees in free agency.

Cody Bellinger is open to a Yankees return

"Cody Bellinger said he would 'absolutely' be open to another season with the Yankees," Hoch writes, "saying that he had 'an unbelievable time putting on this uniform.'"

Bellinger opted out of his contract, which would've paid him $25 million salary for the 2026 season. The Yankees will need to exceed that deal to keep Bellinger, which will be both a longer-term deal for a lot more money.

The 30-year-old outfielder was a solid hitter for the Yankees in his first season in New York. He had a .272 batting average with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, and an .813 OPS in his debut season with the Yankees.

Retaining Bellinger won't come cheap, but he was one of the better hitters on the Yankees in 2025, and adding great defense in the outfield, there's plenty of reason to bring back Bellinger.

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To make a Bellinger reunion even more of a reality, the Yankees lost Trent Grisham to free agency, and if they can't retain him, losing both outfielders would be a massive loss.

Avoiding such a scenario is paramount for the Yankees, and Bellinger's return would not just help the outfield; it'd give them flexibility at first base if needed.

The Yankees are interested in bringing him back, and for good reason. Losing such a player would be a huge loss for any team, but for the Yankees, Bellinger's departure would be a huge blow to the championship window with Aaron Judge and this core.

Bellinger is "absolutely" open to a return to the Yankees, and Brian Cashman and the New York front office are interested in keeping him. The only thing left is to work out the huge contract Bellinger is sure to receive in free agency.

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