Cody

Bellinger

The 30-year-old slugger is working his way through a “very mild” back issue. The Yankees are simply taking every possible precaution here as they don’t want the injury to linger into the regular season. As of now, there’s no reason to think that Bellinger won’t be ready for Opening Day.

Boone said that Bellinger’s back “went out on him a little bit” and the Yankees aren’t going to take any risks with the 30-year-old outfielder. It sounds like Bellinger could be back in the lineup as early as Tuesday, and fantasy managers have reason to believe he’ll be ready to roll when the season starts.

The move to open up a spot on the 40-man has not been announced, but it’ll probably be either Michael Siani or Marco Luciano going back on waivers. Bellinger gets a full no-trade clause and opt outs after the 2027 and ’28 seasons. The 30-year-old is likely to remain the Yankees’ primary left fielder, though he could play some center against lefties. He’s also still very capable at first base, but the Yankees didn’t like putting him there last year. He’ll probably hit second ahead of Aaron Judge or third behind him, setting him up nicely to remain a top-20 fantasy outfielder, even if he’s probably not quite as good as he was last season.

The deal includes a full no-trade clause, a $20 million signing bonus and opt outs after 2027 and 2028. Everything in recent days was trending towards this outcome, especially with the Mets seemingly taking themselves out of the mix by acquiring Luis Robert Jr. last night. The Cubs had been another suitor, but that appeared to end when they landed Alex Bregman, and the Dodgers solved their outfield need with Kyle Tucker. Bellinger’s return as the primary left fielder would seem to leave little room for Jasson Domínguez and top prospect Spencer Jones in the Yankees’ immediate plans. Domínguez could remain a fourth outfielder, which is how he ended last year, but it’s also possible the team could send him down to play regularly initially.

The Yankees believe that they have made a strong offer to Bellinger — at five years and $160 million with two opt-outs — and they’re willing to let him walk if he’s unwilling to accept that or if the Mets or another big market team decide to blow that offer away. A return to the Yankees still seems like the most plausible scenario for Bellinger.

That goes along with what The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty reported last week. Bellinger is currently holding out for seven years, but one would think a sixth season might be enough to persuade him. He lost one suitor when the Cubs came to terms with Alex Bregman, but that still leaves the Mets, Dodgers, Jays and others. At this point, he might be best off waiting to see which teams miss out on Kyle Tucker.

Olney’s report comes on the heels of The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty noting earlier this week that the Yankees and Bellinger remain far apart on the length of a potential deal. The 30-year-old slugger has been connected to more than a half-dozen clubs — including the Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Blue Jays, Angels and Reds — since the offseason began. It increasingly sounds like he’s headed elsewhere, with Olney adding that the two sides are at an impasse in negotiations, despite the Yankees’ efforts to bring him back.

Bellinger wants a seven-year deal through his age-37 season. It’s unclear how many years the Yankees are offering, but they might want to stick with five-year deals similar to what Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso received. Of course, Bellinger is younger than those two and offers far more defensive value. His offensive track record doesn’t quite match up, though.

Bellinger hit .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs for the Yankees last season and reportedly would like to return to the Yankees next season; however, the two sides appear to be at an impasse due to the length of a proposed contract. Kuty reports that Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, are looking for a six or seven-year deal, and the Yankees don’t appear willing to match that request at this time. The two sides clearly want a reunion, and it certainly still seems possible, but it might take a bit longer.

The Yankees, too, of course. The Kyle Schwarber re-signing might take the Phillies out of the mix, but Bellinger has a wide range of suitors, regardless, and figures to command at least a five-year deal at age 30.