tThe New York Yankees are on a mission to strengthen their team, and all eyes are on Cody Bellinger. Known for his fantastic comeback in 2023 with the Chicago Cubs, Bellinger turned down an offer from them, sparking rumors of a potential move to the Yankees. His impressive batting and fielding skills have Yankees fans buzzing with excitement. In this important decision-making time, the team must choose whether to sign Bellinger for a long time or explore other options. The outcome will not only impact the current season but also shape the Yankees’ future in the baseball world.
Bellinger’s Comeback and Saying No to Cubs’ Offer
We recently learned that Cody Bellinger, a highly skilled outfielder and first baseman, declined the one-year offer from the Chicago Cubs. This decision has implications for his future in the upcoming baseball season. This news was shared by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. It means other teams can now try to get him, and the New York Yankees have shown interest. Bellinger had a great comeback in the 2023 season. He earned the NL Comeback Player of the Year award and a Silver Slugger for an impressive performance. Hitting .307 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs in 130 games, despite a brief injury absence, showcased his exceptional skills. This marked a significant shift from his challenging experiences with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the preceding years. It reignited interest from other top teams in acquiring his talents once again.
At the start of the 2022–23 offseason, Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman stated that the team lacked a left fielder. Additionally, he mentioned the absence of another outfielder on the roster. Signing Aaron Judge addressed the right field need, but the team still requires someone for left field. Additionally, they are looking for another outfielder, preferably someone who bats left-handed. Now, Cody Bellinger, who had a fantastic 2023 season with the Cubs, is on their radar. After not being retained by the Dodgers in 2022, he signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal with the Cubs. This move showcased his excellence as a player with both impressive offensive and defensive capabilities. Yankees fans are wondering if he could be the last piece they need for their outfield.
Checking if Bellinger Fits and Could Make a Difference
Even though some of Bellinger’s stats, like exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit rate, seem a bit low, experts think there’s more to his story. “Besides the advanced statistics, Bellinger excels in selecting the right pitches to swing at. Additionally, he demonstrates the ability to hit the ball to various parts of the field.” The idea of him adjusting his game to take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short fences is interesting. Now, the Yankees are trying to decide if they should sign Bellinger for a long time. The expected deal is six years for $144 million, which is a lot of money, especially when there are still questions about how well he’ll play.
Another option is to look at trading for Juan Soto instead. As the Yankees figure out what to do this offseason, the idea of getting Cody Bellinger adds an exciting twist. The team has to make big decisions that go beyond just fixing their immediate needs, affecting how the team will do in the years to come. Whether the Yankees can get Bellinger is still up in the air, but the excitement about the possibility is felt by baseball fans everywhere. Keep an eye out as the Yankees think about what’s best for them in their quest for another championship.