"I simply cannot be convinced" - MLB analyst reveals true reason Cody Bellinger may never see $30,000,000 payday

The New York Yankees are looking to re-sign All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger, who opted out of his contract after his 2025 season with the Bronx Bombers.

Bellinger joined the Yankees in a trade from the Chicago Cubs last offseason. In his lone season with the AL East franchise, Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs.

The All-Star outfielder opted out of his deal, turning down a guaranteed $25 million salary for the 2026 season in favor of a $5 million buyout. Bellinger is projected to earn a five-year deal worth around $140 million.

However, MLB analyst Ryan Garcia cast doubt over Bellinger's contract, saying teams are unlikely to pay a $30 million AAV for the ageing All-Star slugger.

"Call me crazy, but I simply cannot be convinced that the same market that rejected a 29-year-old Cody Bellinger on a $26.7 million deal on a 1+1 deal for a 30-year-old fodder arm is gearing up to pay him $30 mil a year until he's 36," Garcia wrote on X.

Ryan Garcia

@RyanGarciaESM

Call me crazy, but I simply cannot be convinced that the same market that rejected a 29-year-old Cody Bellinger on a $26.7 million deal on a 1+1 deal for a 30-year-old fodder arm is gearing up to pay him $30 mil a year until he's 36.

While Bellinger has attracted interest from a few teams in free agency, no team has closed in on a potential deal for the All-Star outfielder.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Cody Bellinger amid reunion buzz in free agency

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Cody Bellinger when asked about the 30-year-old outfielder's potential reunion with the team during the MLB Winter Meetings.

“Who he was in the room, his performance between the lines on both sides of the ball, his athleticism, his versatility,” Boone said. “Who wouldn't want a player like that?

“He's earned the right now to get to this point of his career of free agency as still a relatively young man. We’ll see what happens, we’ll see how it shakes out. As far as the player and the person, he’s a good one."

While Boone added that he is not part of the Yankees' recruitment room, the Yankees manager is willing to offer his insights on the player and their fit with the team.