As the 2025 Major League Baseball season nears its conclusion, the intense focus on playoff positions is accompanied by strategic offseason planning among front offices. New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has stirred the longstanding Mets-Yankees rivalry by signaling interest in Yankees’ $80 million outfielder Cody Bellinger, who has become a pivotal figure after Juan Soto’s high-profile signing with the Mets. This move has reignited tensions in the ongoing competition between the two crosstown rivals, highlighting the significance of the Juan Soto Mets Yankees rivalry in shaping offseason dynamics.

Cody Bellinger, acquired by the Yankees shortly after choosing not to opt out of his 2025 contract worth $27.5 million, has delivered solid numbers with a .270 batting average, 22 home runs, 69 RBIs, and an .816 OPS this season. His defensive versatility across all three outfield positions and agile baserunning have made him a key contributor. However, with the Mets expressing clear interest in Bellinger, a player who has become a valuable asset for the Yankees, the rivalry is intensifying not just on the field but in the boardrooms as well.

Current Status of Cody Bellinger and Mets Interest

Bellinger’s value has grown since his arrival, offering the Yankees a reliable plan after losing out on Juan Soto. Despite this, the Mets have not hidden their admiration for Bellinger, provoking debates reminiscent of last year’s controversial Soto signing. Mets fans remain focused primarily on retaining their slugger Pete Alonso, who recently signed a two-year deal with an opt-out clause allowing him to explore free agency again this winter, potentially seeking a longer commitment.

Bellinger’s contract situation is complex. Represented by prominent agent Scott Boras, known for maximizing client deals, Bellinger’s current age of 30 suggests this could be his prime opportunity for a lucrative long-term contract. Although Bellinger has shown commitment to the Yankees, openly expressing affinity for the organization and its history due to his father Clay Bellinger’s past as a Yankee, uncertainty remains about whether financial incentives might lure him elsewhere.

So far, Bellinger has taken a pragmatic approach to his future, stating,

The true answer is it’s just so far ahead. I really focus on the day-to-day.

—Cody Bellinger, Yankees outfielder

Fan Reactions Amplify Rivalry Tensions

The prospect of Bellinger moving to the Mets has polarized fans of both teams, underscoring the emotional stakes tied to player movements between these franchises. Yankees supporters are wary of losing another key player to their rivals so soon after the Soto controversy, reflecting anxiety about maintaining a competitive edge.

One devoted Yankees fan stated,

Ate crow for it with Soto last year. But Cody loves being a Yankee. If the Yankees have a real offer, I can’t see a move to New York B.

—Yankees’ supporter

Bellinger himself has reinforced his connection to the Yankees, sharing,

I definitely love it here. I think it’s a great organization and it’s a great place to play.

—Cody Bellinger, Yankees outfielder

Despite Bellinger’s sentiments, some Mets fans vehemently oppose the idea of acquiring him, fearing it would upset the balance in the rivalry. A passionate Mets fan expressed,

I’ll never forgive the Mets if that happens.

—Mets fan

Others emphasize the financial implications, warning that if Steve Cohen, who outbid Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner with a $765 million offer for Soto, manages to do so again for Bellinger, it would be an unbearable blow to Yankees Nation.

If Steve Cohen outbid Hal Steinbrenner for Juan Soto and then Cody Bellinger, we’d have to protest as Yankee fans. And then make Hal sell the team.

—Yankees supporter

Strategic Considerations for the Mets’ Roster

Some Mets fans take a measured view of the potential acquisition. While there is intrigue about adding a left-handed hitter like Bellinger, concerns exist about lineup overcrowding, especially with established lefties Brandon Nimmo, Juan Soto, and Brett Baty already in place. The presence of multiple skilled left-handed bats raises questions about how Bellinger would fit into the team’s outfield configuration.

An analytical fan noted,

I’d love to steal another lefty Yankee outfielder. But idk how he’d fit in the lineup with Nimmo, Soto, and Baty being lefties and Benge coming up.

—Analyst and Mets fan

Yankees’ Investment in Bellinger and His Impact

From a financial perspective, Bellinger has been a high-value asset for the Yankees. The team‘s arrangement involved Chicago paying $5 million towards his salary, offsetting some of the Yankees’ burden. This modest expenditure now looks like a bargain as Bellinger ranks as the club’s second-best position player behind Aaron Judge, with a 3.6 wins above replacement (bWAR) rating. His resurgence after a slump in previous seasons has cemented his status as an essential player for New York.

Neutral fans appreciate the Yankees’ prudent acquisition strategy, remarking,

Yeah, they should’ve traded for him, considering the Yankees gave up peanuts for him. Now he’s the second-best player on their team.

—Neutral MLB observer

What Lies Ahead for Cody Bellinger and the Mets-Yankees Rivalry?

As the offseason approaches, all eyes remain fixed on Bellinger’s contract decisions and whether the Mets will aggressively pursue him to intensify the ongoing competition with the Yankees. The situation holds the potential to escalate the already heated rivalry, drawing in legendary figures such as Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner, and fuelling passionate reactions from dedicated fan bases on both sides.

For Bellinger, now 30, this may be his pivotal opportunity to negotiate a substantial and long-term deal that defines the remainder of his career. The Yankees are unlikely to surrender him without a fight, especially given his proven value and family ties to the Bronx. Meanwhile, the Mets must weigh the challenge of fitting him into an already crowded outfield and the desire to retain Pete Alonso as their core star.

In the coming months, the unfolding narrative of the Juan Soto Mets Yankees rivalry will likely hinge on decisions surrounding Cody Bellinger, setting the stage for another dramatic chapter in one of baseball’s fiercest competitions.