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.

Bradford and crew recap sleepers, busts, and lessons from a wild fantasy season. Pete Crow-Armstrong flipped from bust to bona fide asset, Bo Bichette stayed productive for Toronto, and Nick Pavetta dazzled after landing with San Diego. Catchers Ivón Herrera and Hunter Goodman emerged as value picks, while Brian Woo’s health and workload cemented a top-tier upside case. Lessons emphasize production over hype and the volatility of top prospects, with A’s/Sox and relievers noted for risk and reward.

Mets face a tight decision between Pete Alonso’s enormous power and Cody Bellinger’s multi-positional value. Alonso brings 35+ homers, 100+ RBIs, and durable presence, but may demand a bigger price tag and defensive compromises if moved to DH. Bellinger offers elite versatility—first base, outfield, speed, and two-strike efficiency—at a lower risk and cost, with leadership and a balanced fit for a deeper lineup around Soto. The choice hinges on payroll tolerance, defensive balance, and how aggressively New York upgrades the lineup this offseason.

The discussion centers on whether Alonso anchors the lineup as a premier power source while Bellinger rounds out the roster as a flexible star, or if the Mets should pivot to Bellinger’s all-around game to maximize daily lineup flexibility. Long-term economics, health history, and clubhouse impact all factor into whether the priority is a power backbone or a versatile, lower-risk asset that can cover multiple positions and protect the core players in a stacked lineup.