Yankees’ Bo Bichette interest intensifies as they face gap with Cody Bellinger

The Yankees and No. 1 target Cody Bellinger have exchanged multiple proposals but haven’t closed the gap quite enough to shut off other possibilities — either for Bellinger or the Yankees, who are now looking more seriously at superstar infielder Bo Bichette.

Bellinger is receiving interest from his old Cubs and Dodgers teams, among others, while the Yankees consider different major lineup enhancements, notably Bichette, who they contacted early in winter but who wasn’t mentioned publicly until last week in this space.

The Bellinger situation is fluid, so a return to The Bronx remains possible for the versatile, two-way outfielder. But the middling progress in talks certainly invites other possibilities — for now, anyway.

The Yankees’ dalliance with Bichette is interesting in that they have no obvious current infield opening beyond shortstop to start the year, with Anthony Volpe out early following shoulder surgery, and a potential first base platoon. It’s also possible Bichette could play second if the Yankees trade All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr., a free agent after 2026 being dangled (nothing’s known imminent there).