For most of the offseason, a reunion between Cody Bellinger and the Yankees appeared to be a safe bet.
Both had expressed interest in re-upping after Bellinger put together a splendid debut season in the Bronx, but the team and the free agent haven’t been able to hammer out a deal yet. The Yankees have already offered Bellinger five years and an average annual value over $30 million, but the versatile left fielder and his agent, Scott Boras, are looking for more.
While time remains to reach an agreement — a continued marriage still makes sense for both sides — Bellinger’s dragging free agency begs the question: what can the Yankees do in left field if he signs elsewhere?
One option would be to pivot to another high-profile free agent, as Kyle Tucker is also still available. Tucker is a younger and better hitter than Bellinger, but the Yankees haven’t shown more than preliminary interest in him this offseason. The Mets, meanwhile, are offering Tucker a short-term deal worth $50 million per season.
Should Bellinger leave, there is a better chance the Yankees will roll with one of their young outfielders, Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones, in left. Relying on either would come with risk — which gives Bellinger and Boras some leverage — as Domínguez hasn’t proven he can play adequate defense and Jones still has swing-and-miss concerns after a monstrous season in the minors.
That plan, which surely won’t excite a fanbase already frustrated with a quiet offseason, would also have to come with a right-handed platoon bat, as Domínguez is a switch-hitter who is better from the left side. Jones is a lefty.
With that in mind, here are a few free agent options who could fit the Yankees if Bellinger bolts.
AUSTIN HAYS
The Yankees have expressed interest in Hays should they require a Bellinger contingency, as he had a .949 OPS against lefties last season and owns an .819 mark for his career. Hays isn’t the greatest defender in the world – he had one Out Above Average and -2 Defensive Runs Saved in left last season – but he’s more reliable than Domínguez at this point.
HARRISON BADER
The Yankees have also checked in on former friend Harrison Bader, who wore pinstripes in 2022 and 2023. The Bronxville native is hoping for an everyday job as a center fielder, but the Yankees have fellow Gold Glover Trent Grisham, and Bader spent time in left with Minnesota last year. He could not only share starts with Domínguez, but also serve as a late-inning defensive replacement for The Martian. However, Bader hasn’t hit lefties well over the last two years.
MIGUEL ANDUJAR
A once-promising Baby Bomber, Andujar is coming off a strong season in which he hit .318 with an .822 OPS, 10 home runs and 44 RBI over 94 games for the A’s and Reds. That includes a .986 OPS against southpaws. The problem is that Andujar still isn’t a strong defender, as the former full-time third baseman turned utilityman had -3 OAA and DRS in 2025.
WILLI CASTRO
Castro is coming off a down year, and he’s a bit like Andujar defensively: he can play multiple positions, but not well. That said, left field isn’t Castro’s worst spot, and he’s been linked to the Yankees in the past. The switch-hitter doesn’t have a long track record of success against left-handers, but he did manage a .752 OPS off them in 2025.
