Bellinger, Woodruff Become Early Top Free Agents

Brandon Woodruff declined his $20 million mutual option and elected free agency after a 2025 season in which he went 7–2 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 regular-season starts returning from Tommy John surgery, though he missed the postseason with a right lat strain. Milwaukee also declined catcher Danny Jansen’s option while picking up Freddy Peralta’s club option as it balances payroll and rotation needs. Yankees outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger opted out of the final year and $25 million player option to test free agency after a resurgent 2025 in which he hit .272/.334/.480 with 29 homers, 98 RBIs, 13 steals and a 5.0 bWAR. New York is likely to pursue a reunion but may balk at the multi-year, $25–30+ million-per-year deals Bellinger is expected to command, with the club considering cost-effective alternatives. Both Woodruff and Bellinger are projected to be among the top names early in the offseason market, forcing prompt roster and payroll decisions by their former teams.