The most impressive at-bat of the New York Yankees’ 2025 season came against the pitcher who said he would not play for the organization again, even if he were dead.
Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman was dominant this year. He allowed just eight hits to left-handed hitters, including one to Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger. In mid-September at Fenway Park, Bellinger ripped an opposite-field double off Chapman, winning a nine-pitch battle. Batters hit just .078 when getting to two strikes against Chapman, so the odds of Bellinger coming through were minuscule.
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It was one of several notable moments in Bellinger’s all-around impressive season. He finished the year with a 125 wRC+, 4.9 fWAR, 11 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and six outs above average (OAA). Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters earlier this month that he expects Bellinger to opt out of his $25 million player option and become a free agent. All signs point toward the Yankees pursuing Bellinger in free agency with the hopes of re-signing him to a long-term contract.
“Certainly would love to have him with our team moving forward, but we haven’t had any of those discussions,” Cashman said. “I haven’t had any conversations with (Bellinger’s agent) Scott Boras.
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