The New York Yankees saw a seven-game win streak snapped by the lowly Chicago White Sox on Sunday, but they have to be satisfied with a much needed late season turnaround.

After holding onto a lead in the American League East division to start the season, the Yankees fell to the last remaining wild card spot before climbing their way back up. Now they once again threaten to seize the division and a playoff bye before it’s all said and done.

But no matter how the final weeks of the regular season shake out, the Yankees will be happy they swung a trade to land former Most Valuable Player award winner Cody Bellinger this past winter. He has slashed .279/.333/.504 and offered some key defensive versatility since donning the pinstripes and now he seems set to opt out of his contract and seek a long-term deal in free agency this winter.

“Bellinger may never recapture his MVP form, but he’s had a strong first season in the Bronx, hitting .279 with 26 home runs, 83 RBI and an .837 OPS, all while continuing to display tremendous defensive flexibility,” Tim Kelly wrote for Bleacher Report. “Surely, Bellinger will opt out of the final $25 million he’s scheduled to make in 2026, the final year of a three-year, $80 million deal.”

And if Bellinger hits the open market again, Kelly predicted that the Yankees will look to re-sign him — unless the star outfielder who replaced Bellinger for the Chicago Cubs this season becomes the Yankees’ offseason target instead.

“So the Yankees should be motivated to retain Bellinger, unless they have a bigger play — such as Kyle Tucker — in mind,” Kelly added.

It’s possible that the Yankees won’t get a chance at signing Tucker, as he could still reach an extension agreement with the Cubs before the winter. But if he does hit free agency, as seems likely, he’ll be the most coveted name available.

And with Bellinger likely exiting his deal, the Yankees shouldn’t be counted out from signing the best available outfield option on the market.