Fresh Yankees Rumors on Cody Bellinger Contract Talks, Latest on Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker

The New York Yankees are no longer expecting to reach a contract resolution with free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

Olney reported Saturday that the Yankees had been hoping to re-sign Bellinger, but are "now operating under the assumption that Bellinger is going to sign elsewhere."

According to Olney, the breakdown in negotiations comes after the Yankees made Bellinger an offer in the range of five years and $30 million annually.

The Yankees are now "seeking additions elsewhere" either through trades or free agency, according to Olney.

The franchise has continued talks with star free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, and they've also "had conversations with other teams about trade possibilities," Olney reported.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported earlier this week Bellinger's camp is seeking a contract in the range of seven years.

Bellinger, acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2025 season, slashed .273/.334/.480 through 152 games of his lone campaign in the Bronx.

He played all three outfield positions for the Yankees, making most of his appearances at left field (79) but also playing 50 games in right field and 39 games in center, per Baseball Reference.

Tucker, who has spent his last five seasons as a right fielder for the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs, could help the Yankees fill in their outfield and keep a player in their lineup who can hit against left-handed pitchers.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand recently reported that both the Yankees and the New York Mets would "prefer Bellinger to Tucker."

"That's not to say they won't be in on Tucker, especially knowing that only one of them can sign Bellinger, assuming he winds up back in New York," Feinsand wrote.

The club could need to find another outfield answer if they bring in Bichette, although the career Blue Jays short stop could help fill in for Anthony Volpe as the Yankees infielder sits out the start of the 2026 season amid his recovery from shoulder surgery.

The Yankees aren't the only club still looking to potentially add a high-profile free agent down the stretch of the offseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs have also been tied to Bichette, while the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers have been connected to Tucker.

Bellinger has reportedly received interest from the Cubs, Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in addition to the Yankees and Mets.