What’s holding up Cody Bellinger’s Yankees talks with rival execs surprised by issue

Star free agent Cody Bellinger and the Yankees remain in contract talks, but a disagreement over the length of the deal is still a sticky enough issue that both parties continue to investigate alternate plans.

The Yankees are believed to have offered Bellinger about $155 million over five years, confirming The Athletic report that it was more than $30M annually. But with Bellinger looking for seven years, the sides are trying to find new ways around the gap over term.

The parties spoke through the weekend, but the difference in length — and thus total dollars — is great enough that Bellinger is also weighing alternative teams. The Yankees also are considering star free agents Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker while discussing trades for at least four other position players.

The Yankees like Bichette, and he’s right-handed, which is a slight preference, but he may fit the Phillies and others even better. (The Post reported Bichette was to meet Monday with Philly.) The Yankees are said more “on the periphery” of talks regarding Tucker, with the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Mets seeming more likely for MLB’s No. 1 free agent.