Cody Bellinger stands as the Yankees’ top offseason target, offering rare multi‑positional value, a reduced strikeout profile, and a power-friendly approach that plays well at Yankee Stadium’s short porch. Durability through 152 games this season adds to the allure, and his ability to play center field or first base could unlockJudge days off while keeping the lineup balanced. The discussion also threads Soto’s return and Mets flirtations into a broader New York win-now narrative.

Beyond Bellinger, the panel weighs the shadow of Aaron Judge’s workload, the Mets’ potential bid, and past big‑money moves like Ellsbury’s as cautionary context. The overall takeaway: Bellinger’s ceiling and versatility make him a clean fit for the Yankees, with Soto and other options shaping a larger strategic puzzle for 2025 rosters.

Philadelphia faces a high-stakes winter: Kyle Schwarber potentially leaving would inject a rare power void while complicating a roster already balancing DH and corner-outfield duties. The hypothetical fit for the Mets highlights the challenge of attaching a positional niche to a high-power bat. Pete Alonso’s status looms large—his return would influence how much room there is for Soto in a crowded lineup. Re-signing Alonso, keeping Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, and integrating young arms like Andrew Painter become the core pathway to sustaining a playoff window.

Edwin Díaz’s looming return reshapes bullpen odds, and the rotation trio of Christopher Sánchez, Jésus Luzardo, and Zack Wheeler offers a solid foundation if health cooperates. Ownership’s willingness to spend remains pivotal as the team weighs a 2026 projection that could hinge on balance between payroll, improved defense, and who slots into the DH and outfield. The overarching theme: the window isn’t closed, but the roadmap is intricate and high-stakes.