The Yankees were convinced they’d found their man. Following a remarkable 2025 season, Cody Bellinger appeared poised to remain in New York. Now, though, the two-time All-Star is the most sought-after free agent in baseball, with the Dodgers and Blue Jays both prepared to spend big to secure his services. Will the Yankees be able to outmaneuver their competition, or is Bellinger destined for a different squad?

The Fireside Yankees’ social media presence really nailed the heated atmosphere, tweeting that “the Yankees are expected to face competition for Cody Bellinger from the Toronto Blue Jays AND the Los Angeles Dodgers, via @JeffPassan. Both are heavy financial hitters. We might have to overpay a bit to keep our guy!” The claim gains credibility when considering Bellinger’s performance in New York during the 2025 season.

The outfielder belted 29 homers, knocked in 98 runs, and finished with a .813 OPS over the course of 152 games, all while playing top-notch defense.

Baseball Savant’s data shows that Bellinger was in the 82nd percentile for Batting Run Value and the 91st percentile for Fielding Run Value. This highlights his significant contributions on offense and defense.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are likely the toughest opponent here.

Fresh off back-to-back World Series victories, the Dodgers are looking to strengthen their lineup. Bringing Bellinger back would be a homecoming, a return to the team that helped him become an MVP in 2019.

Over six seasons with the Dodgers, Bellinger hit 152 home runs and drove in 422 runs, finishing with a .819 OPS. He is forever linked to the franchise’s 2020 championship victory.

The Blue Jays, for their part, see Bellinger as a “perfectly good alternative” if they can’t land Kyle Tucker. His defensive skillset, encompassing all three outfield spots and first base, aligns perfectly with Toronto’s bold moves this offseason.

But Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has made it clear he’s keen on keeping Bellinger.

He told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale: “We’re very interested in bringing him back. He’s going to have a lot of choices because he can do a lot of different things. We would be better served if we could retain him. If not, we’ll have to look at alternative ways to fill it.”

Cashman’s honest assessment highlights the precarious nature of current free agency negotiations. Bellinger’s decision to opt out of his three-year, $80 million deal, which paid him $30 million a year, has suddenly made him a hot commodity, drawing the attention of baseball’s biggest spenders.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees have their sights set on more than just bringing Bellinger back.

Yankees face another tough choice with Gleyber Torres in free agency

Gleyber Torres, who used to man second base for them, just enjoyed a stellar season with Detroit and is now available as a free agent. The Yankees are in a tough spot. Do they go after both players, or is it a case of choosing just one?

Torres had a solid year in 2025, putting up tangible stats: a .256 batting average, 16 homers, and 74 runs batted in. At 28, he’s in a prime position to hit his stride.

His strikeout rate dipped, and he found himself on base with greater regularity, a clear sign of progress. That’s precisely the kind of thing teams shell out for in free agency, and we can bet other clubs are paying attention.

Detroit would certainly like to retain Torres, though its budget constraints make it impossible.

The Tigers have other areas that need attention, which makes Torres vulnerable. The Yankees cut him loose years back, following a few seasons that didn’t quite pan out. But his resurgence in Detroit has rewritten the narrative.

When Torres came back to Yankee Stadium this season, the crowd rose to their feet, applauding. They recalled his past exploits.

The actual test for New York’s front office is here. Can they afford both Bellinger and Torres? Or will this sizzling offseason compel them to make some tough calls about the roster?