Anybody versed with the roster structure of the New York Yankees understands that the team has a huge hole in left field. Of course, the franchise has also been aware of the fact and made necessary amends. However, the lack of stability and consistency created a sort of revolving door that hurt the team’s 2023 season campaign.
Now that the disastrous 2023 season has passed, the New York Yankees front office is on a damage control mission. The leadership held their first round of meetings and apparently had positive discussions. Having said that, the team is yet to reveal their free agency plans. While the search for a left fielder will top the shopping list, a Yankee insider recently linked the team to a star Cubs outfielder.
Cody Bellinger Strongly Linked To Yankees In Fresh Rumors!
Former NL-MVP outfielder Cody Bellinger played a huge role in the Chicago Cubs’ successful campaign this season. While they missed out on the playoffs, Bellinger emerged as the rising star. Moreover, the Cubs are serious about building a championship-caliber team, and the outfielder will certainly remain a key piece of it. However, Bellinger is a free agent and will enter unrestricted free agency in 2024. Not only that, Chicago is likely to face tough competition from the New York Yankees, who are apparently willing to shell out millions for Cody. On the other hand, the Cubs do not seem to be a team known for handing out long-term contracts.
While Cody Bellinger had been previously linked to the Yankees, a recent comment coming from a club insider has intensified the trade rumors. Jon Heyman of the New York Post said that the obvious outfield candidate for the Yanks is Bellinger since the market for offensive starters is slim. Now, Heyman is someone with sources within the top brass of the New York-based franchise. Thus, his words further solidified trade rumors involving Bellinger and Yanks. Having said that, the pursuit won’t be easy. The Bombers are also looking to lock in Japanese phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a $200 million contract. Thus, Hal Steinbrenner needs to remain wary of the luxury tax regulation and ensure that they don’t go over the threshold.
Juan Soto, Yoshinobu Yamamoto On Yanks Radar!
The New York Yankees would undoubtedly have an extended shopping list for the coming off-season. While the free agency market is slim, the Bombers are making every effort to pick out the best of the best. Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been strongly linked to the team as the New York-based team is expected to exceed all competition by pitching a $200 million offer.
On the other hand, the Yankees have also been linked to the Padres generational superstar Juan Soto. The Padres might opt to sell to rebuild the franchise. Moreover, with the right offer on the table, San Diego might just take the plunge with Soto. If the Yanks manage to land Soto, he would solve the franchise’s 50% of the problem. The 25-year-old can secure the future of the club for the next decade or so.
