New York Yankees rumor claims Cody Bellinger trade talks have stalled again, team may pivot to chase for 5 specific stars

A fresh New York Yankees rumor suggests that despite reports of talks on a Cody Bellinger trade nearing the finish line, discussions have stalled once again.

This has been a busy last week for the Yankees. Over the first few weeks of the offseason, the organization was completely focused on trying to re-sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto. However, despite their best efforts and an offer for as much as $760 million, the team lost one of their most important players to the New York Mets.

There had been speculation for quite some time about what the team could do in the event they lost the Soto chase. Well, in the fallout of the 26-year-old going to the Mets, the Yanks have made a pair of big moves. The first was giving Atlanta Braves star pitcher Max Fried a massive $218 million deal. Then they made a bold trade for, arguably, the best closer in MLB — Milwaukee Brewers stud Devin Williams.

On Saturday, a new report suggested that their next major move would be completing a long-rumored trade for Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger. However, on Sunday New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman suggested that those talks may have hit a wall. And the New York Yankees could soon pivot to five different players to fill their void at first base.

Cody Bellinger stats (2024): .266 AVG, .325 OBP, .426 SLG, .751 OPS, 18 HR, 78 RBI, 72 R

Money again holding up completion of Cody Bellinger trade to New York Yankees

“Still a money gap in Bellinger trade talk with Yankees and Cubs as of this minute,” Heyman wrote on X. “It’s a matter of ‘who blinks first’ if ever.”

The outfielder/first baseman has over $52 million left on his current deal. Many teams around the league have balked at the idea of taking on all of that money after he had a down season in 2024. Most want the Cubs to pick up some of that money. Something they seem uninterested in doing.

Cody Bellinger contract: Three years, $80 million

With discussions at a stalemate, Heyman revealed five players New York could pivot to during their current game of chicken with the Cubbies. “[The trade] still could happen but Yanks also considering Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana, Josh Naylor, Nathaniel Lowe, and probably others.”