The New York Yankees have been said to be in possession of the “inside track” to re-signing outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. As one Tri-State Area-based writer relayed, there’s no such thing.

NJ Advance Media’s Bob Klapisch reminded the Yankees that super agent Scott Boras doesn’t make for simple “home-team discount” deals in the modern age. Klapisch believes Brian Cashman needs to drop any preconceived notion that NYY is in any sort of driver’s seat.

The saddest thing Klapisch said was undoubtedly, “The brand isn’t what it used to be.” That much has been evident as the Los Angeles Dodgers have lapped the Yankees in spending and winning over the last decade.

“There are no sentimental favorites for anyone represented by the toughest, most pitiless agent in baseball. That means no hometown discount, no points for clubhouse friendships or special consideration for a warm relationship with the fans,” Klapisch prefaced before saying, “No one knows this better than the Yankees. Ownership is preparing for a long, drawn-out chess match with Boras, the industry’s master of three-dimensional negotiating.

“So if the question is whether the Yankees think they can bring Bellinger back in 2026, the short answer is: It’s complicated.

“The long answer? It’s very complicated.

“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.”

As good a fit as Bellinger knows he is with the Yankees, Boras doesn’t operate on fit. Only the number of commas that can fit on his financial statements.

Boras doesn’t work for any franchise or its fanbase. That works against what front offices have in their future plans more often than not.