Despite a 54-33 record, the New York Yankees are expected to be active during the upcoming mid-season trade deadline in August. Several roster gaps will be addressed as the franchise is getting serious on its postseason aspirations which suddenly seems in shambles.
New York Yankees witnessed a losing streak in June which was uncharacteristic considering the nuclear start they had in the beginning of the season. However, before things fall off the roof, the front office are apparently looking forward to add big hitting names to the roster starting from Cody Bellinger of Chicago Cubs.
Yankees Showing Preliminary Interest In Cody Bellinger, Claims The Athletic
The New York Yankees have expressed preliminary interest in acquiring star outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs, a move that could significantly bolster their lineup as they aim for a strong playoff push. The Athletic revealed that with the Cubs struggling to stay put in the playoff race, the Yanks and Texas Rangers have recently had a noticeable scouting presence around the club, a league source said. Interestingly, the Bronx Bombers aggressively pursued Bellinger during last year’s trade deadline when their offense collapsed. Not only that, Cody was nearly signed by the Yanks in the offseason until the Juan Soto blockbuster trade came through. Eventually, due to a lack of suitors, Bellinger re-signed with the Cubs on a three-year $80 million deal with multiple opt-outs after the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
That being said, it seems the New York Yankees are back in the mix for Cody Bellinger. While the outfield is the least of the team’s concerns, the offense is still heavily dependent on Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Hence, the franchise needs to look beyond that, and Bellinger could be the solution they are looking for. He has a .267 average with 9 home runs, 34 RBIs, and .743 in 71 games. Cody also has a 6.5% barrel rate and 88.1 exit velocity. Additionally, Bellinger’s defensive versatility is another appealing factor for the Yankees. Primarily an outfielder, he can also play first base, which seems ideal given Anthony Rizzo’s injury setback. However, to acquire Bellinger, the Yanks would likely need to part with a combination of prospects and possibly a major league-ready player. The Cubs, in a rebuilding phase, would be interested in acquiring young talent to bolster their future.
Juan Soto In Good Spot After Hand Injury Scare
The New York Yankees were a hitter short last week when Juan Soto sustained a hand injury while making a play in the outfield of Rogers Center. After his X-rays came back negative, Soto was inducted back into the series finale lineup on Sunday. Meanwhile, upon return to New York on Monday, the slugger didn’t undergo further testing.
Yankee manager Aaron Boone revealed that Juan Soto dealt with swelling and a pain-tolerance the past few days. However, he is moving in the right direction and will play the entire Reds series without any restrictions. Notably, Soto has missed four games already for the New York Yankees this year with forearm and hand issues.
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