The New York Yankees have spent much of the offseason expecting to make a serious push for Cody Bellinger. That plan now looks less certain after a major shift in the market that followed Pete Alonso’s move to Baltimore. The Orioles added a powerful middle order bat with Alonso’s five year 155 million dollar agreement, strengthening an already competitive American League East. His departure from Queens has also changed the landscape across town.
With their franchise slugger heading south, the New York Mets suddenly have both the need and the financial room to pursue Bellinger, a player long viewed as a natural fit for Yankee Stadium. The result is a new and unexpected challenge for the Yankees, whose cautious approach this winter has created an opening for their biggest rival.
Mets reposition after Alonso’s departure
Alonso’s exit shifted more than the lineup card in Queens. It created a roster gap that Mets leadership is under pressure to fill quickly. SNY reporter Andy Martino noted that once Alonso joined Baltimore, the Mets emerged as a credible threat to compete directly with the Yankees for Bellinger. With expectations rising from both ownership and fans, the Mets are positioned to strike.
Bellinger presents an appealing combination of power, versatility and defensive reliability. He hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 runs driven in last season while serving as an above average defender at first base and in the outfield. For a team looking to reinforce multiple areas at once, he stands out as the strongest free agent option available.
Alonso’s departure and the uncertain bullpen picture after Edwin Diaz’s struggles have left the Mets with significant questions. Adding Bellinger would provide an immediate anchor for the lineup and signal a renewed push after a disappointing finish last year.
Yankees slow pace raises concerns
For months it appeared almost inevitable that Bellinger would end up in pinstripes. His left handed swing matches perfectly with the short right field wall in Yankee Stadium. He can share first base duties with Anthony Rizzo or move into a corner outfield role, both areas the Yankees identified as priorities. On paper, it looked like a straightforward match.
Instead, the Yankees have taken a restrained financial approach while teams around them have moved aggressively. The Blue Jays strengthened their rotation. The Boston Red Sox made pitching upgrades of their own. Baltimore added Alonso’s middle order production to a roster that already finished at the top of the division. In contrast, the Yankees have shown little urgency, which now leaves them exposed as the Mets begin shifting their strategy.
Yankees fans have not forgotten last winter, when the Mets unexpectedly signed Juan Soto before the Yankees were able to finalize their own long pursuit. The possibility of another high profile free agent crossing over to Queens has already increased frustration among the fan base.
Competition intensifies for Bellinger
The Yankees still view Bellinger as an ideal target, but the conditions surrounding his free agency have changed significantly. The Mets now have every incentive to act decisively after losing Alonso, and they have the financial capacity to outbid any cautious approach from the Bronx.
The American League East has also become more competitive this offseason, and the Yankees risk falling behind their rivals if they miss on another major addition. Regardless of their internal budget strategy, the pressure to respond continues to grow.
If the Mets push hard for Bellinger, they can offer immediate playing time, a major market, and the chance to be the centerpiece of their post Alonso lineup. For the Yankees, who once held a clear advantage, the path is no longer uncomplicated.
Yankees no longer in full control
Alonso’s move to Baltimore reshaped more than one division. It shifted leverage in the Bellinger market and placed the Yankees in a position they did not expect. With their rivals improving and the Mets motivated to make a statement, the Yankees must decide whether their careful approach still makes sense in a rapidly changing offseason.
If they wait too long, they may once again watch a top target cross town and reshape the balance of power in New York.
