Jon ConahanTue, November 25, 2025 at 4:46 AM UTC·1 min readMLB reporter doesn't believe Yankees Pinstripes mean much for free agents any longer originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Looking back at what the New York Yankees have done throughout their existence, it's evident that there's an argument to be made that they're the most successful franchise not only in Major League Baseball history, but in the entire sports world.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor much of their existence, the Yankees have done nothing more than win at the highest level, but the past few years haven't been like that.
Some have an issue with how that’s unfolded.
According to the latest from NJ.com's Bob Klapisch, he believes the Yankees might have a tough time bringing back Cody Bellinger, and have lost other free agents in the past because the Pinstripes don't mean what they used to.
“Gone are the days when the Yankees could get away with simply marketing the pinstripes. It worked with aces Gerrit Cole and Max Fried, but the brand isn’t what it used to be.
“Owner Hal Steinbrenner was all in on pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto two years ago, and he was even more committed to signing right fielder Juan Soto in 2024. Both were top-ranked free agents who nevertheless spurned the Yankees. Club officials were convinced Yamamoto picked the Dodgers because he wanted to be teammates with two-way star Shohei Ohtani. That was the agenda from the get-go. The Yankees were never seriously considered,” he wrote.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn some sense, he isn't wrong, but it's also important to remember that many decisions come down to money. With how much players are getting paid nowadays, that's obviously the biggest priority for a lot of them.
Ultimately, if the Yankees don't have a competitive offer for Bellinger, there's a very good chance he'll land elsewhere.
More Yankees News:
Yankees' Devin Williams reveals feelings about free agent return to New York
Yankees' Anthony Volpe undergoes shoulder surgery amid injury-plagued season
Yankees predicted to trade for $6.5 million All-Star lefty ace, would act as successor to Max Fried, Carlos Rodon
Yankees' former home run champion signs new contract in Japan