$80M Juan Soto Replacement to Abandon Yankees for Selfish Motives as Trent Grisham’s Future Compromised

The day Juan Soto decided that he was going to leave the Yankees still stings the memories of Yankees faithful. But they were happy with who the replacement was and how he has performed since then. Cody Bellinger came in as a replacement and absolutely thrilled the Bronx Bombers fans with his performances. But, according to an insider, things are about to take a turn & not a good one from Yankees fans’ perspective.

MLB insider Jeff Passan thinks that Cody Bellinger will not be a Yankee next season. In his recent piece, Passan wrote, “At 30, Bellinger will be one of the best bats on the market when he turns down his $25 million player option… He’s on pace to put up his most home runs and RBIs since his 2019 NL MVP campaign and will seek nine figures this winter.”

Cody Bellinger has been electric for the New York Yankees this season, combining power, consistency, and defensive versatility impressively. Slashing around .272/.324/.489 with 24 home runs, he’s on pace for his best totals since 2019. His resurgence makes him a prime candidate to decline his $25 million player option this offseason. With a Scott Boras-managed career and MVP-caliber performance, he’s expected to pursue a lucrative free-agent contract.

Bellinger’s decision to test free agency complicates the Yankees’ roster planning and payroll flexibility significantly. He will likely seek a long-term, nine-figure deal, leaving New York uncertain about its outfield composition. Trent Grisham, also approaching free agency, faces a precarious situation amid questions about his consistency and defense. Yankees must balance Bellinger’s potential return against Grisham’s performance, age, and projected qualifying offer costs carefully.

Until Bellinger confirms his intentions, Grisham’s future with the Yankees remains in limbo and uncertain. Even a strong 2025 season, including 30 home run pacing, may not guarantee his return contractually. The rise of prospects like Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones further threatens Grisham’s long-term roster security. Ultimately, Bellinger’s free agency choice will dictate whether Grisham remains a valued option or walks away.

The Yankees find themselves trapped in a classic Bronx paradox: the better one star shines, the dimmer another’s prospects become. Cody Bellinger’s brilliance has rewritten expectations, but it has also cast a long shadow over Trent Grisham’s tenure. With free agency looming like an inevitable rain delay, New York must decide whether to chase loyalty or chase the market. One thing is certain—Grisham’s fate will hinge entirely on Bellinger’s next move.

Is Cody Bellinger ditching the Yankees and moving to the Mets?

When it comes to loyalty in baseball’s big-money playground, the Yankees have long believed dollars could buy permanence. Yet stars like Juan Soto have quietly rewritten that rule, showing that even pinstripes aren’t a lifetime guarantee. Now whispers are swirling around Cody Bellinger, whose Bronx breakout season has turned heads across the league. If history is any guide, the Yankees may once again watch a prized talent flirt with a Subway Series rival.

Cody Bellinger is in the second year of a three-year contract he signed with the Cubs. He has the potential to exercise an opt-out clause at the end of the 2025 season. With a 2026 salary set at $25 million, Bellinger could test the market for more lucrative opportunities. “Bellinger told me the other day that he wants to play for a winner,” Jon Heyman noted on Tuesday’s episode of MLB Central.

Rumors of Bellinger joining the Mets are growing due to their upcoming free-agent vacancies. Heyman explained, “The Mets would be a fit, too, because they have two free agents — certainly, one in center field, one at first base.” His strong performance with the New York Yankees, including an .837 OPS, has made him highly sought after. The pattern resembles Juan Soto’s exit, signaling that the Yankees might once again lose a prized player.

Bellinger could bring the New York Mets both experience and a championship pedigree, having won an MVP and a World Series. His .278 average, 27 home runs, and 86 RBIs this season highlight his consistent offensive contribution. Integrating him into their lineup would strengthen key positions while boosting their playoff aspirations. If the Mets land him, he could turn fleeting potential into tangible postseason success.

If the Yankees thought pinstripes guaranteed loyalty, Bellinger and Soto are proving otherwise. The Bronx may soon watch another star slip quietly across town, this time to Citi Field. For the Mets, acquiring Cody Bellinger wouldn’t just fill a roster spot—it would send a message about ambition and strategy. In baseball’s theater of big contracts and bigger egos, sometimes even the brightest stars prefer the spotlight elsewhere.