NEW YORK — The New York Yankees have made it abundantly clear that Cody Bellinger is a central priority in their offseason plans, submitting multiple contract offers in recent weeks as they attempt to secure one of the most intriguing free-agent bats on the market.

According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, the most recent proposal from New York carried an average annual value north of $30 million, a figure that underscores just how highly the Yankees view Bellinger’s resurgence and overall value.

Despite the aggressive financial commitment, negotiations have stalled, not over money per year, but over the length of the contract.

Kuty reports that Bellinger’s camp continues to push for a seven-year deal, seeking both financial security and long-term stability as he enters his age-30 season.

The Yankees, meanwhile, have shown reluctance to go that far.

While exact figures remain undisclosed, league sources suggest New York is currently more comfortable with a four- or five-year commitment, reflecting a more conservative approach to long-term risk.

That sentiment aligns with earlier reporting from Jon Morosi of MLB Network, who indicated that the Yankees’ internal preference sits firmly in that four-to-five-year range.

The difference in years, rather than dollars, has become the primary obstacle separating the two sides.

If the Yankees were to land Bellinger at their preferred term, the resulting contract would place him among the most expensive offensive players signed this offseason on an annual basis.

Recent deals help frame that market clearly.

Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for five years and $150 million, while Pete Alonso secured a five-year, $155 million contract from the Baltimore Orioles.

If New York successfully caps the length, Bellinger’s deal would likely mirror those contracts in both structure and value.

In fact, MLB Trade Rumors projected Bellinger to land a five-year, $140 million deal in its Top 50 Free Agents list, a number that fits neatly within the current negotiating framework.

Any agreement exceeding $30 million annually would elevate Bellinger into rare air among outfielders.

At present, only Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts earn more than $30 million per season while playing the outfield.

Joining that group would represent a dramatic shift in how the league values Bellinger compared to just a few years ago.

The market’s renewed confidence is particularly striking given how cautiously teams approached Bellinger earlier in his career arc.

After the Los Angeles Dodgers moved on from him following the 2022 season, concerns about declining power, contact quality, and swing mechanics limited his leverage.

The Chicago Cubs capitalized on that uncertainty, signing Bellinger to a one-year, $17.5 million prove-it deal.

Bellinger responded with a strong 20-homer, 20-steal campaign, reestablishing himself as a dynamic two-way contributor.

Even that rebound, however, was not enough to secure the long-term commitment he sought.

Instead, he returned to Chicago on a three-year, $80 million contract that included opt-outs after each season, effectively betting on himself once again.

A middling 2024 season led Bellinger to bypass the opt-out, after which the Cubs traded him to the Yankees in a deal that raised eyebrows across the league.

New York acquired Bellinger by sending Cody Poteet to Chicago and assuming all but $5 million remaining on his contract, a low-risk maneuver with significant upside.

That gamble paid off.

Bellinger delivered one of his most complete seasons in pinstripes, prompting him to opt out of the final year of his deal and re-enter free agency with leverage firmly restored.

Regardless of where he ultimately signs, Bellinger is widely expected to surpass the $25 million salary he was scheduled to earn in 2026.

The on-field production justifies that expectation.

Bellinger slugged 29 home runs last season, his highest total since his National League MVP campaign in 2019, signaling a return of impact power.

He added 13 stolen bases and came close to driving in 100 runs, providing balanced offensive value across multiple categories.

Defensively, Bellinger remained elite.

Advanced metrics praised his work in the field, with Defensive Runs Saved (+11) and Outs Above Average (+7) both highlighting his contributions.

His versatility further enhanced his value.

Bellinger logged 300-plus innings at all three outfield positions, demonstrating the athleticism and instincts that once made him a Gold Glove fixture.

He also made occasional appearances at first base.

While the Yankees did not require his infield services with Paul Goldschmidt anchoring the position, that flexibility remains a meaningful asset.

Beyond the traditional counting stats, Bellinger showed tangible improvement in underlying performance indicators during the 2025 season.

His hard-hit rate climbed to 37.9%, slightly above league average but a notable leap from previous years.

That progress matters in context.

In 2023, Bellinger’s 31.4% hard-hit rate was a key reason teams hesitated to offer long-term deals, despite a .307 batting average.

That season’s production appeared partially inflated by a .319 BABIP, the highest of his career.

Statcast data supported that skepticism, with an expected batting average (xBA) of .268, nearly 40 points lower than his actual mark.

Incremental gains followed in 2024, though they were still underwhelming.

Bellinger’s hard-hit rate ticked up to 32.9%, while his bat speed dipped to 69 mph, placing him in just the 13th percentile league-wide.

The 2025 improvements, while not elite, marked a meaningful course correction.

Perhaps most encouraging was Bellinger’s improved contact profile.

He posted a 13.7% strikeout rate, the lowest of his career, signaling improved pitch recognition and swing decisions.

His 7.6% swinging-strike rate also set a personal best, reinforcing the same trend.

Among all qualified hitters, Bellinger ranked 26th with a 91% zone contact rate, a level of consistency he had rarely reached before.

Prior to 2025, he had exceeded 87% zone contact just once in his career.

This combination of average batted-ball quality and elite contact skills paints an intriguing picture moving forward.

For a 30-year-old hitter, that profile suggests sustainability rather than volatility.

It also helps explain why the Yankees are willing to push past $30 million annually, even as they hesitate on length.

There is, however, one lingering concern.

Bellinger’s performance split last season revealed a stark contrast between home and road production.

Away from New York, he slashed a modest .241/.301/.414, raising questions about how much Yankee Stadium’s dimensions and environment influenced his resurgence.

That factor will undoubtedly play a role in negotiations, particularly for teams considering a long-term commitment.

For the Yankees, the decision is layered.

They must balance immediate contention with long-term payroll flexibility.

They must weigh Bellinger’s upward trend against his uneven past.

They must decide how much risk they are willing to absorb for a player whose peak once reached MVP heights.

What is clear is that the Yankees view Bellinger as more than a complementary piece.

They see him as a foundational bat capable of impacting games on both sides of the ball.

Whether that belief translates into a seven-year concession or a firm stand at five years will determine the outcome of these talks.

As negotiations continue, one truth remains unavoidable.

Cody Bellinger has positioned himself back among baseball’s elite earners.

And whichever team ultimately meets his terms will be betting that his resurgence is not a fleeting chapter, but the start of a sustained second act.