YANKEES FACE $260M CODY BELLINGER DILEMMA AS SCOTT BORAS PLAYS HARDBALL AGAIN
Will the Yankees cave to Cody Bellinger’s massive price tag? Inside the negotiations that could define the Bronx Bombers' 2026 season.
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The Yankees want Cody Bellinger back; no secret there. But if that doesn’t happen, they’ve got their eyes on Bo Bichette as plan B. Still, bringing in Bichette comes with all kinds of headaches. Honestly, it’s risky. Meanwhile, let’s check out three Yankees who look ready to smash their 2026 projections.
This offseason has turned into a waiting game for the Yankees. Scott Boras is doing his usual thing, pushing Bellinger’s price into the stratosphere. Seven years, nearly $260 million? That’s treating Bellinger like he’s an MVP every season, and his career just doesn’t back that up. He’s streaky, and there’s always the risk he slides backwards. Sure, Yankee Stadium could boost his numbers, but shelling out almost $40 million a year for a guy who needs the right park to thrive? That’s a bet that could go south fast.
Then there’s the backup plan—Bo Bichette. On paper, paying $300 million for Bichette means you’re betting on him staying a top-tier shortstop for years. But the numbers say he’s not as reliable on defence as people think, and he might not even stick at short. Plus, with Anthony Volpe locked in at shortstop, adding Bichette would just create a mess. Someone like Jazz Chisholm gets squeezed out, and the team loses that athletic vibe they’ve been building. Bottom line: the Yankees need to show some restraint. Overpaying out of panic shuts championship windows quietly but quickly.
Three Yankees Ready to Blow Past 2026 Projections
Steamer’s 2026 projections see the Yankees as good but not quite there yet. Still, three guys could beat those numbers. First up, Ryan McMahon. He didn’t wow anyone last season, but dig a little deeper—better exit velocity, more barrels, and he’s hitting the ball in the air to his pull side more often. If the Yankees use him right, keeping him away from tough lefties, McMahon could quietly turn into a key bat at the bottom of the lineup.
On the pitching side, Will Warren’s projections look kind of meh, but there’s more upside than people think. He’s sharpened his fastball, and if he gets his secondary pitches working, he could follow the same path as other Yankee pitchers who took off after some tweaks. The boldest pick is Ben Rice. The projections predict a step back, but forget that. Rice hits the ball hard, doesn’t chase much, and his platoon splits aren’t a big problem. Give him a full season at first base, and he could get close to MVP levels.
Ben Rice Is Changing Everything
Rice has honestly flipped the script for the Yankees. In his first full year, he put up big numbers while splitting time between catcher and first, ending with a 133 wRC+—that’s elite company. With five years of team control left, the Yankees suddenly have a cheap star just as payroll is getting tighter.
The deeper numbers love Rice even more. He’s near the top in expected slugging, hard-hit rate, and exit velocity, but his batting average tanked because of some ridiculous defensive luck against him. Add in his great eye and low strikeout rate for a power hitter, and you’ve got a rare building block. Even if his glove at first is just okay, his bat is enough to make him a star. Once that luck evens out, Rice could be right in the MVP mix, all while giving the Yankees a ton of value.
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
