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The New York Yankees may have just ditched a bit of their competition for free agent Cody Bellinger.
The New York Mets were considered one of the biggest suitors for Bellinger if he was going to leave the Bronx.
But on Tuesday night, the Mets completed a trade for centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox.
The most logical spot for Bellinger to have slotted into the Mets' lineup was center. Now that Robert is in town, that may not happen.
This doesn't guarantee the Mets won't still sign Bellinger. They'd likely love the chance to swipe him from the Yanks.
But it certainly lowers the odds.
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Reports earlier on Tuesday indicated that up to four teams might be in on Bellinger, including the Yankees and Mets.
The Toronto Blue Jays are believed to be the third, while the fourth is more of a mystery.
The Yankees have wanted Bellinger back this whole time, although reportedly they haven't bid beyond the offer they're standing firm at, somewhere in the five year and $155-160 million range.
If the Mets are truly out of the picture, that's one less bit of leverage Bellinger has.
New York baseball fans will wake up Wednesday to the news of the Robert trade, and now all that is left to be resolved is where Bellinger decides he wants to play ball in 2026 and beyond.
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