Bellinger Back? Bichette Buzz. Jazz Trade Rumors. Imai to Houston. Yankees Forced to Turn to the Trade Market for Starting Pitching.

Bellinger to the Bronx Feels Inevitable — But What Comes Next?

For most of the offseason, it has felt like the New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger were destined to find their way back to each other. What once seemed like an assumption is now starting to feel like a matter of when, not if, with momentum building toward a reunion that could come together in the coming weeks or even days.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have submitted a formal offer to Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras.

In a separate report, Mark Feinsand noted:

“The Yankees are holding firm to their price, not wanting to bid against themselves for Bellinger, though most believe the two sides will ultimately find common ground and come to terms on a deal.”

Buster Olney added further context, stating:

“The Yankees no question want Bellinger… there’s an impasse right now.”

That impasse appears to be centered almost entirely on years. While exact parameters haven’t been reported, it’s a reasonable assumption that Boras and Bellinger are pushing for something in the 6–7 year range, while the Yankees are unwilling to go that far.

There have been links between Bellinger and other teams, namely the Dodgers and Mets, but those clubs are reportedly only opportunistic participants, likely interested only if Bellinger were open to a short-term, high-AAV deal.

My prediction: Bellinger ultimately returns to the Yankees on a 5-year, $140 million deal ($28M AAV).

Bo to the Bronx?

One name I never expected to seriously discuss this offseason as a potential Yankees target is Bo Bichette. Before diving into fit, let’s talk about the player.

Since 2021, Bichette has been one of the more consistent hitters in baseball, outside of an injury-riddled 2024 season. He followed that up with a career year in 2025, slashing .311/.357/.483, good for a 134 wRC+. He posted career highs in slugging while cutting his strikeout rate to a personal best 14.5%.

Bichette’s underlying profile is fascinating. He combines an extremely low chase rate with an elite ability to avoid whiffs—ranking in the 12th percentile in chase rate while sitting in the 83rd percentile in whiff avoidance. He accomplished this by swinging less overall and becoming far more contact-oriented:

• Outside Swing %: 33.8 (career low)

• Zone Swing %: 71.3 (career low)

• Outside Contact %: 65.0 (career high)

• Zone Contact %: 91.2 (career high)

Put simply, Bichette adjusted his approach to swing less and miss less, regardless of pitch location. He also sprays the ball all over the field. In 2025, his opposite-field rate (31.2%) actually exceeded his pull rate (28.9), a trait that plays well in almost any ballpark, including Yankee Stadium. Here is his spray chart overlayed at Yankee Stadium:

He also sprays the ball all over the field. In 2025, his opposite-field rate (31.2%) actually exceeded his pull rate (28.9), a trait that plays well in almost any ballpark, including Yankee Stadium.

From a pure offensive standpoint, I love the profile.

The problem is everything else.

The Defensive and Athletic Concerns

Defense has long been the biggest knock on Bichette, but in 2025 it became impossible to ignore. He was the worst defensive shortstop in MLB, finishing dead last in both Outs Above Average (-13) and Fielding Run Value (-10).

There are positions where you can live with poor defense to get a bat in the lineup. Shortstop—and center field—are not those positions. Simply put, you cannot sign Bo Bichette and expect him to be your everyday shortstop. Any realistic scenario would require a move to second base, where his limited range would hopefully be less damaging.

That brings us to the next issue: speed.

For a player entering his age-28 season, Bichette has seen a noticeable decline in sprint speed. Here are his Sprint Speeds throughout his career and where they ranked in MLB for reference to exemplify that:

That decline showed up clearly in 2025, when he posted a -3.2 baserunning value, the worst mark among all MLB shortstops (with the next closest being J.P. Crawford at -2.3).

So while the bat is excellent, the defensive limitations and declining athleticism make the overall profile far less clean.

As I've shown throughout his profile, Bo is not a Shortstop moving forward and more likely a 2nd Baseman. Now, the Yankees currently have Jazz Chisholm Jr occupying that spot, for now?

Are the Yankees Actually Going to Trade Jazz Chisholm Jr?

This is where things get even murkier.

Jazz Chisholm had a career year in 2025, so why in the world would the Yankees trade him you may ask? At first glance, it sounds absurd. But there is a case to be made.

Jazz is entering the final year of his contract before free agency. Coming off a career year, his value may never be higher. The Yankees could theoretically package him with prospects to acquire a legitimate, high-end starting pitcher.

One hypothetical framework that makes some sense:

Yankees flip rental players with Peralta and Jazz, the Yankees get 2 years of a high reliver in Megill and the Brewers get Elmer Rodriguez and Ben Hess, 2 high end Yankees pitching prospects.

While the logic works on paper, this scenario would effectively mean choosing Bichette over Jazz—and likely over Bellinger as well.

Based on reporting from internal Yankees sources, including Jack Curry, the team doesn’t appear inclined to spend on more than one major free agent. I simply don’t see a world where the Yankees sign both Bellinger and Bichette.

If that’s the choice, I’d much rather extend Jazz, re-sign Bellinger, and then explore trading an outfielder like Jasson Domínguez for pitching help instead.

Imai to Houston; What Don't We Know & What's Next for the Yankees in their Search for Starting Pitching?

On Thursday, Tatsuya Imai signed with the Astros on a 3-year, $54M deal (up to $63M with incentives and opt-outs). Frankly, this outcome is perplexing.

Just weeks ago, reports suggested Imai could command somewhere between $150–200M, with the Yankees reportedly listed as “finalists.” That was later refuted by Jon Heyman, who stated the Yankees were not seriously involved.

Initially, it felt like the Yankees had missed a massive opportunity to land a high-end arm on a team-friendly deal. But it raises a more important question:

Why was Imai willing—or forced—to take such a modest contract?

The most logical conclusion is that something in his profile or medicals gave teams pause. Clearly, this wasn’t just a Yankees issue—most of the league passed.

What’s Next for the Yankees’ Rotation?

With free-agent options drying up, any meaningful rotation upgrade will have to come via trade.

According to Chris Kirschner, potential targets include Freddy Peralta, MacKenzie Gore, and Sandy Alcantara—but each would require a significant prospect haul.

Once the Bellinger situation is resolved, the Yankees will have more clarity and flexibility to explore the trade market. At that point, expendable outfielders like Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones could become key trade chips.

Final Thoughts

• I believe Cody Bellinger will be back in the Bronx

• I don’t think Bo Bichette is a realistic fit, nor would I trade Jazz Chisholm Jr.

• I expect the starting pitcher rumor mill to heat up once Bellinger is re-signed

Follow me on X (@JosephEsposito0) for up-to-date Yankees coverage, and subscribe to the blog below to be notified whenever a new article goes live!