MLB Insider Buzz: Mets pivot toward Austin Hays as Cody Bellinger talks stall; Tatsuya Imai draws urgent meetings before deadline

Since the start of the offseason, Cody Bellinger has been one of the coveted names in free agency after his strong 2025 season with the New York Yankees.

The New York Mets have been linked with the All-Star outfielder in free agency despite the Yankees' strong interest in bringing back Bellinger. However, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Mets are looking at Austin Hays as a potential backup to Bellinger.

"They're looking at Austin Hays. Bellinger would be the top choice; they just haven't named the right number of years yet," Heyman said.

Earlier this week, Heyman noted that the Mets are not willing to offer a contract longer than four years for Bellinger. Heyman said that Bellinger's agent, Scott Boras, is looking at a contract of around seven years for his client in free agency.

Meanwhile, Japanese free agent pitcher Tatsuya Imai's market has picked up with his signing window closing on Friday. According to Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic, Imai has spoken to several teams and met representatives from Los Angeles-based teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers or Angels.

Imai, who is coming off a 1.92 ERA record with 178 strikeouts across 163 2/3 innings last season, was earlier linked with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles.

Former MLB GM expects Yankees to sign Cody Bellinger on six-year contract

While Cody Bellinger's agent is reportedly seeking a seven-year deal for his client, former MLB general manager Jim Duquette has predicted a six-year contract for the All-Star outfielder.

Duquette expects the Yankees to re-sign the 30-year-old outfielder after his resurgence with the Bronx Bombers last season.

“I still think the Yankees, even though these are the teams that jumped in, I still cannot imagine that the Yankees will not be the final suitor on him," Duquette said. "And, you know, he was such a good fit, obviously, hitting behind, mostly hitting behind [Aaron] Judge."

Apart from the Yankees and the Mets, Bellinger's former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, were also reported to be interested in signing their former outfielder in free agency.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash