ORLANDO, Fla. – If the Yankees were to secure Cody Bellinger, then seek to improve on the margins, this might be a largely drama-free winter.But we’ve only just begun.On the eve of MLB’s Winter Meetings, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he spoke Saturday to agent Scott Boras “about his list of clients,’’ including a certain versatile, lefty-hitting outfielder.Bellinger was “an impact player for us last year and we’d love to have him back if it could fit for us,’’ Cashman said Sunday, as the meetings unofficially began.Yankees’ open-minded to other outfield scenarios Overall, “I don’t think there’s as deep of a need of a lot of things as there were last year,’’ said Cashman, whose series of countermoves following the free agent loss of Juan Soto included a trade for Bellinger.“But there’s things obviously we’re trying to do,’’ including the pursuit of Bellinger in free agency.“Cody Bellinger would be a great fit for us. A great fit for anybody,’’ said Cashman. “I think our environment was a great one for him.’’Naturally, the Yankees will say they’ve got some outfield leverage with center fielder Trent Grisham returning, Jasson Dominguez leading the left field depth chart, repeat AL MVP Aaron Judge in right and slugging Spencer Jones in the wings.Grisham’s presence “gives us some comfort, because I have a lane I can go with if the markets dictate that,’’ said Cashman. “But if I can find matches, too, that make enough sense whether it’s free agents or challenge trade that pull me in a different direction, then we’re open-minded to that as well.’’One obvious free agent outfield pivot is lefty-hitting Kyle Tucker, who could net twice as much as Bellinger in this market.A potential “challenge trade’’ pivot could lead to the Twins’ Byron Buxton, though his availability – at least this winter – is questionable.Where the Yankees’ payroll situations could factor in Bellinger’s camp will point to his made-for-the-Bronx persona and swing, his high contact rate and 1.016 OPS against lefty pitching as evidence he’s essential to the Yankees’ winter strategy.Throw in the potential interest of deep-pocketed contenders, including the Mets, and Bellinger’s asking price might be closer to $200 million than $150 million, and at what price point would the Yankees balk? Though Hal Steinbrenner feels a $300 million payroll, under the final luxury tax threshold, would be “ideal,’’ the Yankees owner has not given a drop-dead figure to his GM.“Hal’s exact words to me continue to be, ‘Take everything that’s out there to me,’ which Cashman has pledged.Still, “we’ve got a lot of big logs on the fire already that we carry,” the GM said of his high-salaried vets, impacting the club’s overall financial flexibility. As to a potential contract extension for lefty-hitting second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., “our history is we’ve let these things play out for better or worse” Cashman said of free-agent walk year players. Chisholm is “somebody who’s currently part of the solution,” and not a likely trade candidate, “but the job is to be open to anything and everything regardless,” Cashman said, speaking generally of the possibility of “challenge trades” for comparable big-league talent. Cashman acknowledged his lineup is currently too left-handed, a problematic feature that doesn’t include Bellinger’s return (he also batted .353 vs. lefties in 2025).Yankees’ seeking pitching depthWhile the Yanks seek right-handed hitting depth at the corner infield spots, catcher and possibly the outfield, Cashman is also seeking bullpen upgrades and potentially another starter.“I’d love to add a starter, regardless,’’ said Cashman, with injury-rehab starters Carlos Rodon expected back by late April/early May, and ace Gerrit Cole returning by late May/early June.“(We’d) just love to get more quality arms out there,’’ said Cashman, who also spoke again recently to free agent Luke Weaver’s rep.While the Yankees naturally have interest in highly regarded Japanese starter Tatsuya Imai, his current price point is probably not in their comfort level, unless something changes – like a failed pursuit of Bellinger.Whiffing on Bellinger might send the Yankees into any number of Plan B scenarios, in an effort to unseat the AL champion Toronto Blue Jays, residing in the powerful AL East.”We have to find our way to take that (title) back from (Toronto),” said Cashman. “And at the same time, be better than everyone else in the league.”This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees’ winter strategy starts with Cody Bellinger