Plan B is formally taking form.
Within the fallout of Juan Soto strolling throughout city, the Yankees have acquired first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger in a take care of the Chicago Cubs, based on a number of reviews. Chicago can also be sending $5 million to the Yanks within the deal.
The Bombers despatched pitcher Cody Poteet in alternate for the two-time All-Star.
Bellinger, a left-handed hitter, slashed .266/.325/.426 with 18 homers and 78 RBI final season in Chicago. The 2019 NL MVP earned a two-year, $52 million contract after posting an .881 OPS in 2023. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old turned expendable when the Cubs acquired All-Star Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros — and after a barely down season — resulting in primarily wage dumping him on the Yanks.
However the Yankees welcomed it with open arms as Bellinger may fill two potential holes for the Yanks at first base and left or middle subject — although he’s more likely to play within the outfield. Bellinger figures to fit into the highest or center of the Bombers’ order maybe looking out for a similar increase Soto obtained hitting in entrance of two-time AL MVP Aaron Choose.
Bellinger’s stat line from 2023 is definitely underwhelming to the attention contemplating he could also be hitting the place Soto did — and his underlying metrics don’t paint a fairly image both. Nevertheless, the outfielder was considerably higher on the highway in 2024 than he was at residence posting a .797 OPS away from Wrigley Subject which is without doubt one of the least hitter-friendly environments in baseball.
Buying the veteran accomplishes two targets the Yankees set out for themselves after lacking out on Soto — get higher defensively and extra athletic.
The Gold Glove middle fielder has lengthy been rumored to be a goal of the Yankees and brings some ties to the Bronx with him. His father, Clay, performed for the Bombers from 1999-2001.
The Yankees simply scratched one other massive merchandise off of their vacation procuring record bringing Bellinger into the fold with dominant nearer Devin Williams and elite southpaw Max Fried.
Brian Cashman is continuous to shift the identification from the Soto-Choose Bombers that led them to the Fall Traditional in 2024. The remaining massive objects are first base and second or third base — particularly after the Bombers shipped out potential second base choice Caleb Durbin to the Brewers for Williams.
Christian Walker, Carlos Santana and Pete Alonso are the highest first baseman obtainable on the free agent market whereas Astros star Alex Bregman stays the highest choice for the recent nook.
Initially Revealed: December 17, 2024 at 4:53 PM EST
