The only mission the New York Yankees have left is to win the World Series. Most of the fans think that a signing like Cody Bellinger should be enough to give them that World Series, but is it really enough?

New York Yankees veteran Clint Frazier thinks it might not be.

“I’m starting to wonder if they sign Cody Bellinger back or if they don’t sign Cody Bellinger back,” noted Frazier. “In my mind… they can’t win the World Series with or without Cody with this team right now.”

The New York Yankees’ offseason has been dominated by unresolved talks with Cody Bellinger, leaving fans anxious and uncertain.

Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and posted 5.1 WAR during the 2025 season. Reportedly, the Yankees offered five years, $155–160 million with two opt-outs, but Bellinger and agent Scott Boras are pushing for seven years, near $250–260 million.

This disagreement has created a stalemate, with no other team yet meeting Bellinger’s current contract demands.

Negotiations remain complicated because Bellinger’s camp seeks a longer deal. But the Yankees have held firm on their offer to control payroll and mitigate risk. And Bellinger’s performance last year justifies the offer, including a 125 wRC+ and strong defense at all three outfield positions.

Yet Boras continues pressing for higher guaranteed money.

Signing Cody Bellinger is crucial for the Yanks, though, as he adds left-handed hitting depth and multi-position defensive ability immediately. His 2025 OPS of .817 and .909 home OPS highlight his consistency in Yankee Stadium.

However, even with Bellinger, the Yankees face their 16-year World Series drought, signaling that one player cannot guarantee championship success.

The team’s offensive production alone cannot compensate for gaps, especially in high-leverage postseason situations against quality pitching.

The Yankees’ pitching problems remain pressing, exposed repeatedly in 2025 during critical games against Boston and Cleveland.

In the 2025 Wild Card Series, the Yankees struck out 13 times and failed to capitalize on bases-loaded opportunities. Left-hander Garrett Crochet retired 17 Yankees in a row, illustrating the team’s inability to handle elite pitching consistently.

To compete seriously, New York must address outfield and pitching deficiencies simultaneously before the 2026 season.

They are exploring trade options and rotation upgrades while holding firm on Bellinger, balancing payroll with roster needs. The Yankees risk losing flexibility if they overcommit to one star without strengthening starting pitching and bullpen depth.

The Yankees can fix their pitching problems with Freddy Peralta

The Yankees’ rotation has been leaking like a sieve for years, and fans are running out of patience. Enter Freddy Peralta, the left-hander who could finally stabilize the staff.

Freddy Peralta’s 2025 performance underlines why the Yankees see him as a fitting rotation piece, as he posted a 17‑6 record with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 176.2 innings for the Brewers last season. His 1.08 WHIP and league‑leading wins signal durable, high‑level production other teams covet.

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At just $8 million in salary for 2026, he represents a rare case where elite output meets affordability.

Given New York’s need for frontline arms, adding Peralta could immediately bolster New York’s rotation depth and strikeout capability without a long‑term commitment beyond 2026. But that won’t make the acquisition easy because the Brewers are receiving offers from multiple contenders, including the Mets, Dodgers, Giants, and Braves.

Milwaukee is expected to demand young, controllable pitching or prospects in return for Peralta’s one year of control. If the Yankees are serious, they would have to part with high‑upside arms.

The fact that so many contenders are chasing him shows how rare a controllable ace with his recent numbers can be at this stage of the offseason.

If the New York Yankees miss Freddy Peralta, the Mets and Dodgers will happily pick up the slack. In a league chasing aces, Peralta represents the kind of gamble every contender secretly wishes they owned.