Bellinger First, Peralta Never: Where the Yankees’ Plan Fell Apart

The Mets swooped in for Freddy Peralta, leaving the Yankees in a precarious position.

Once again, the Yankees flirted with a big move but didn’t commit, and now the Mets have stolen the spotlight by landing Freddy Peralta. Peralta was supposed to be ours. For months, he was linked to The Yankees, but here we are, watching our crosstown rivals fortify their rotation. It’s not just the loss of a pitcher; it’s a missed opportunity that reeks of a bigger problem. What are we doing?

The Yankees’ strategy this offseason seemed clear: secure Cody Bellinger, then pursue Peralta. Yet, despite locking Bellinger into a five-year, $162.5 million deal, complete with opt-outs and a no-trade clause, we failed to follow through on the second act of our plan. Bellinger was the “big win” So where did The Yankees plan go awry?

Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, Freddy Peralta, Tobias Meyers, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Luis Garcia

This is an A offseason.

David Stearns just completely transformed the Mets into a better baseball team. pic.twitter.com/EZBDNCIkiy

— Meels (@NYMGuru) January 22, 2026

Did We Put All Our Eggs in the Bellinger Basket?

It feels like we got tunnel vision, focusing too intently on Bellinger and ignoring the broader picture. Sure, investing heavily in a marquee player can pay dividends, but when it comes at the cost of securing other key pieces, the risk was clear.

We poured resources into Bellinger while the Mets were wheeling and dealing, grabbing not only Peralta but also Bo Bichette and Luis Robert Jr. It’s bold, it’s effective, and, most painfully, it’s what we should have been doing. Instead, we managed a minor trade for Ryan Weathers. Sure, maybe Weathers surprises us, but it’s a gamble when we needed a sure thing.

The Outfield Logjam

Our outfield is a study in what could have been. Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones, both full of potential, remain benched behind a stalemate of starters. They’re not junior players anymore, yet here we sit, with Dominguez as a fourth outfielder and Jones marooned in AAA. It’s a failure in asset management, plain and simple.

We’ve essentially barricaded the future of our outfield. Meanwhile, Bellinger’s opt-out options after just two years leave us in a state of uncertainty. Will our young talent ever get a meaningful shot?

Cashman’s Dilemma

Once the architect of glory, Brian Cashman’s recent decisions have left fans scratching their heads. The mismanagement of Dominguez and Jones is emblematic of deeper issues. We need to unleash our prospects, not bury them under layers of red tape and indecision. The fans are getting restless. We’re past waiting for potential to turn into action, especially when other teams are making big moves and reaping rewards.

The Yankees’ strategy seemingly hinges on waiting out the contracts of players like Stanton, hoping for Bellinger to stay beyond his opt-outs. But what if he doesn’t? We can’t pin our hopes on a maybe, especially when the stakes are this high. It’s time to reassess, or risk being left behind.

Peralta Snatched—a Big Apple Blunder

Unbelievable. Freddy Peralta, a player teased to us for months, now sporting a Mets jersey. The Yankees were supposed to lock him in. The plan was simple: bring Bellinger home, then clinch Peralta. Instead, we’re left scratching our heads while the Mets strut around with their shiny new ace. Did someone forget to tell the front office how close the subway runs between the Bronx and Queens? Because the Mets just crossed it in style.

Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones, our so-called future, are going nowhere fast. The outfield’s crowded, and our front office seems determined to delay their breakout. Are we saving them as trade bait? Or are they just pawns in some grand strategy that none of us fans can fathom? Two potential stars, stuck in neutral. It’s a saga that makes you wonder if Cashman is playing checkers while the rest of the league plays chess.