Cody Bellinger Likely to Opt Out After Yankees’ ALDS Exit

When Cody Bellinger, the 30‑year‑old outfielder for the New York Yankees, walks off Yankee Stadium after a 5‑2 loss, the buzz isn’t just about the season ending – it’s about his looming opt‑out.

The defeat came in Game 4 of the American League Division SeriesYankee Stadium on October 9, 2025, a night that Mark Feinsand of MLB.com described as “a swift end to a hopeful campaign.” Bellinger’s contract still has a $25 million option for 2026, but all signs point to him pulling the trigger.

Why Bellinger’s Decision Matters

After a bounce‑back season — 29 homers, 98 RBIs, a 125 OPS+ and 5.0 WAR over 152 games — Bellinger turned heads in the Bronx. Those numbers, compiled by Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, are the best of his post‑Dodgers career and have him perched atop the free‑agent list.

“I love being a Yankee,” Bellinger told the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. “My only prerequisite is to play for a winner.” Yet the phrase “play for a winner” can mean a longer contract with a contender, not necessarily staying put.

How He Got Here

Bellinger’s path to the Yankees was anything but linear. After the Dodgers non‑tendered him in 2022, he signed a one‑year, $17.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs for 2023, earning a Silver Slugger and a top‑10 MVP finish. The following February, the Cubs locked him into a three‑year, $80 million pact with opt‑out clauses after both 2024 and 2025, as reported by SNY.tv’s Andy Martino.

When rookie Pete Crow‑Armstrong burst onto the scene in 2024, the Cubs deemed Bellinger expendable. The December 2024 trade to New York was widely labeled a “salary dump,” but it gave the Bronx a veteran swing‑man who could still field center with authority.

Who’s Watching

The free‑agent market is buzzing. Aside from the Yankees, the New York Mets are rumored to have a soft spot for him, though even inside that organization sources say they expect him back in the Bronx. Across the league, clubs hungry for a high‑WAR center‑fielder are whispering about Bellinger’s name.

Analysts are already pegging a possible deal at six years, $150 million – a figure anchored by outfielder George Springer’s 2021 contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. If Bellinger commands that money, it would make him one of the most lucrative center‑field deals in modern baseball.

Clubhouse Reactions

After the ALDS exit, teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. summed up the vibe: “We’ve built a pretty good family here. A lot of guys want to stay, but everyone also has to get paid.” The sentiment reflects a broader tension in New York baseball – loyalty versus market value.

For Bellinger, the decision is personal as much as it is professional. “Obviously, it’s a conversation with the family, the agent and the business side,” he said in the locker room. “Tonight, I’m just going to soak it all in and be part of the group one more time.”

What the Numbers Say

• 2025 season: 29 HR, 98 RBI, 5.0 WAR
• Contract: $25 million player option for 2026
• Current earnings with Yankees: $27.5 million (2025)
• Potential free‑agent market value: ~ $150 million over six years
• Ranked by MLB.com tracker: 7.0 WAR, center‑field

Looking Ahead

The official free‑agency clock starts right after the World Series, but the narrative is already forming. If Bellinger opts out, the Yankees will need to decide whether to chase him back or pivot to younger talent. Either way, the decision will ripple through the AL East and could reshape the balance of power for the 2026 season.

For fans, the twist is that Bellinger’s next chapter may unfold in a city that already loves him – or in a rival’s pinstripes. One thing’s certain: wherever he lands, his contract will be a benchmark for future center‑field negotiations.