Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger Source: Yardbarker

The New York Yankees are desperate to sign a top free agent. They need this offseason to go well. After a disappointing 2023 season, the 27-time champions eye a satisfying offseason. How will the NY side attain satisfaction? The plan is to make significant changes this offseason. It is better to eliminate the puzzles that don’t fit in the team anymore. Mainly it’s because the Yankees are favorites to land Cody Bellinger and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. But the deal the fans and the organization would love the most is with the superstar Juan Soto.

For a long time, the Yankees have depended solely on their captain, Aaron Judge. After all, Judge is their only superstar slugger. But any injury to him can cost the team heavily, as the last season proved. Hence, they need another superstar outfielder. And who’s better than Juan Soto? But the San Diego Padres won’t let Soto join the Yankees that easily. It would cost Brian Cashman’s side money and a few future assets. However, Cody Bellinger is a deal that would only cost the Yankees big bucks.

   

Why Are Yankees Still Engaging In Talks With Agents Of Cody Bellinger?

Cody Bellinger
Apr 14, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger (24) acknowledges the crowd during a video tribute prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

As per The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, the Yankees are still discussing with the agents of Cody Bellinger. If the deal with Soto doesn’t work out, then Bellinger is their Plan B. Hence, engaging in talks with agents Boras Corp and Scott Boras is essential for the NY side. Moreover, Kuty mentioned the Yankees don’t want to give up talents like Drew Thorpe, Anthony Volpe, and Jasson Dominguez to trade for Juan Soto. These are young, talented prospects and way too heavy a price to pay for just one superstar lefty outfielder. But if the Yankees are desperate for a lefty outfielder, the next best option is Cody Bellinger.

He’s currently among the biggest free agents available in the market. And to land Bellinger, the Yankees would not need to give up major assets. All they need is big bucks to sign Cody, which they surely have. Moreover, Bellinger is just 28 years old. While playing for the Chicago Cubs last season, Cody won the NL Comeback Player of the Year award. Previously, in 2019, Bellinger won the NL MVP award for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He can be pretty useful for the Yankees, especially with the right field short porch at the Yankee Stadium. Moreover, Bellinger has a World Series title on his impressive resume. 

Major Changes In The Coaching And Player’s Department This Offseason

Brad Ausmus Yankees
Brad Ausmus Yankees Source: ESPN

There are a lot of stuff that are under the radar and need change. In short, the Bronx Bombers need to make changes in the players, coaching, analytics, and philosophical departments of the team. That’s what they are looking to do this offseason. The team has a new bench coach and will have a new hitting coach as well ahead of the next season.

Besides the coaching department, there are plenty of changes coming in the roster. Very early in the offseason, the Yankees released six players, including Franchy Cordero and Domingo German. The NY side must make more space in their 40-member roster so that they can sign some superstar free agents this offseason.