Paying Bellinger $37M While Tucker and Bichette Sit There? Make It Make Sense

The Yankees should forget about Cody Bellinger and his eye-watering price tag.

It’s January and here we are still stuck in this soap opera with Cody Bellinger. I mean, really? We’re talking about a guy who wants $36-37 million per year. Is he the second coming of Babe Ruth? Nope, just Belli. And I’ve got to say, him holding out for a seven-year deal at that rate seems more like a punchline than a negotiation. Let’s bust a move and look somewhere else, shall we?

The romance with Bellinger was fun while it lasted, but honestly, it’s time to swipe left and move on. We’ve exchanged proposals, sure, but the gap between what he wants and what’s reasonable is more like a chasm. Why are we even entertaining this when there are other fish in the sea, like Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette? We could snag a better player for that kind of cash. Tucker could add some real depth to our outfield and Bichette would be a solid replacement in the infield. So why are we still talking Cody?

Cody Bellinger wRC+ by season since 2020:

‘20: 112 wRC+
‘21: 47 wRC+
‘22: 83 wRC+
‘23: 135 wRC+
‘24: 108 wRC+
‘25: 125 wRC+

If the Yankees are eventually to meet his desires of $36-37M it will cuff the franchise for years to come. Would be an all time bad contract. It’s a joke… pic.twitter.com/BZwv9opmt3

— Everything Yankees (@eyyankees) January 9, 2026

The Bellinger Effect: Why Yankees Fans Are Over It

Cody Bellinger at his current asking price is overpriced. I get it, he had a good year with a 125 wRC+ in 2025, but let’s not get carried away. He’s not the player he once was, and that’s a fact. In 2021, his wRC+ was a dismal 47. Yes, 47! Do we really want to go down this road?

And here’s the kicker: the more we entertain this madness, the more we risk getting cuffed with an albatross of a contract. It’s the kind of deal that can cripple a franchise for years—like buying a vintage car that doesn’t even run half the time. That’s not what we need. We need a player who can deliver—and consistently, not one who fluctuates like the stock market.

The Market’s Better Bets: Tucker and Bichette

So let’s talk alternatives. Kyle Tucker is out there, and man, does he seem like a more solid investment. The guy has the power, the consistency, and he’s younger. Why not go for someone who’s going to contribute at a high level for years to come? Tucker’s got that potential to be a cornerstone, not just a costly collectible.

And let’s not forget Bo Bichette. Imagine solidifying our infield with a talent like his. He’s proven himself over the last few seasons, bringing some serious skills to the field. Even Los Angeles and Chicago see the value in Bichette. If they’re in, why aren’t we diving in headfirst?

I’m not sure who Bellinger thinks he’s comparing to for $37M AAV. That would immediately be one of the worst decisions in baseball if a team signs him for that AAV. Heyward 2.0.

— Yankeesource (@YankeeSource) January 9, 2026

Yankee Fans Are No Fools

We’ve seen how these crazy contracts can play out, and we’re not keen to repeat history. We watched Heyward 2.0 situations unfold elsewhere and it’s not a pretty sight. We know when someone’s overselling their value. And $37 million a year? That’s the kind of price tag that comes with a giant “beware” sign attached.

It’s time for the Yankees to get real. We need a roster that balances star power with affordability. No more chasing names with a Hollywood-sized price tag. Let’s bring in players who can actually get us to the postseason and beyond, not ones who’ll stall us for another year or seven.

Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman should be arrested immediately and water boarded with McDonald’s Sprite if they give Cody Bellinger more than 5 years

— JL (@JLas43_) January 9, 2026

What’s the Next Move?

So, what’s next? Stay patient, let’s see what the front office decides. It’s January, and the clock is ticking. How about we get serious about other prospects who won’t break the bank? We have the resources to make smart decisions, not just splashy ones. The talent is out there, waiting, and it’s up to us to make the smart pick.

It’s time to turn this ship around and focus on what matters: getting the Yankees back to where they belong. On top. We’re not just talking playoffs; we’re talking championships, dynasties, history. That’s Yankees baseball.

Overhyping Bellinger: The Comedy Continues

Here we go again, Yankees fans. Cody Bellinger and his agent seem to believe he’s worth a king’s ransom. Really? $36-37 million a year? For what? A handful of seasons sprinkled with mediocrity and inconsistency? It’s laughable. Bellinger isn’t the second coming of Babe Ruth; he’s not even in the same ballpark. Yet here we are, locked in this perpetual negotiation dance.

Let’s face it: Bellinger’s numbers over the past few years have been a rollercoaster ride without the thrill. Are we supposed to ignore the fact that his wRC+ has fluctuated wildly from 47 in 2021 to a slightly more respectable 125 in 2025?

Time to Swipe Left

The Yankees have dabbled with Bellinger for far too long. It’s January, and we should be moving on. Kyle Tucker, anyone? How about Bo Bichette? These guys are not only more consistent but would add a much-needed spark to our lineup. Instead of sitting at the negotiation table with Bellinger, we should be making serious offers to players who are actually worth the hype.

The mere thought of shelling out $200 million for Bellinger makes my head spin. It’s like buying a 5-star meal and getting a soggy sandwich instead. Why take the hit on a player whose peak is as unpredictable as a New York winter?

If we’re going to throw serious cash around, let’s invest in players who can deliver. Tucker in the outfield or Bichette’s infield magic—now that’s where the money should go. Bellinger’s holdout for a seven-year deal at his price is nothing short of a bad joke. It’s January, folks, and the Yankees need to be smarter.

Let’s not turn a blind eye to history. Overpaying a player based on potential rather than consistent performance can haunt a franchise for years. The Yankees should be setting their sights on players who offer long-term value, not just sporadic flashes of brilliance. Bellinger’s saga is past its expiration date. Let’s swipe left and move on already.