MLB Trade Rumors | Charlie Wright: In case you missed it, on Monday, it was reported that Cody Bellinger was opting out of his contract with the Yankees and becoming a free agent ahead of 2026. Bellinger was a pretty
perfect fit for the Yankees in 2025; so good, in fact, that he had an excellent season and has likely built up his free agent market enough to get him a nice sized, long-term deal this winter. What will the Yankees’ outfield look like come Opening Day? We’ll find out together.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Bellinger is not the only 2025 Yankee who will now be hitting the free agent market. Here’s a look at Paul Goldschmidt, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and the rest, through the lens of how likely they may be to return to the Bronx in 2026.
ESPN | David Schoenfield: Not a Yankees-focused article, but here’s a look at the biggest free agents across baseball this winter, and what teams might be the best fits for them to sign with. Understandably, the Yanks are noted as a team that would make sense for Bellinger.
MLB.com | David Adler and Thomas Harrigan: The BBWAA announced its three finalists for each league’s major awards last night. The votes have already been tallied, but this is just how the league teases out the suspense. To no one’s shock, Aaron Judge joins Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Cleveland’s José Ramírez among the three AL MVP finalists. The Yankee captain is eyeing his third MVP, though he’s already a near-lock to finish in the top two for the fifth time in his stellar career.
FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe: Also in the news on Monday was the release of the ballot for the 2026 Contemporary Baseball Era Committee for the Hall of Fame, more commonly known as the Veterans’ Committee. The ballot includes player from 1980 on, and features a number of very fascinating cases, including a trio of former Yankees in Don Mattingly, Roger Clemens, and Gary Sheffield. Here’s a breakdown of the ballot and who might get into the Hall via the process. Make sure to check out Jeff’s post on the topic for PSA as well.
