Every offseason, the New York Yankees attempt to become the best team in the MLB. Free agency and trades are both massive parts of this. Certain trades, such as the Juan Soto trade, have paid off massively for the Yankees.
The Yankees Should Trade for Star Outfielder/First Baseman
Cody Bellinger is the best player on the Chicago Cubs team. However, he is also the most expensive player, making free agency hard on the Cubs, who now have Bellinger on the trade block. Bellinger will cost the Yankees a lot of money if he is traded. However, the Gold Glove defender is both a center fielder and a first baseman, which allows the Yankees to have options. The Yankees decided to move on from the Anthony Rizzo era and needed a first baseman. However, in addition to this, Aaron Judge is going to his age 33 season and still plays center field. The Yankees know that the risk of injury is high if they allow Judge to continue in center field. This means that Bellinger could not only play first, but he could also play center for the Yankees.
It should be noted that Bellinger costs 27.5 million a year. That is a lot of money for a team that will go after players like Soto. However, Bellinger is 29 and would play with the Yankees for two years before becoming a free agent again. The Yankees already look like they are all in on Christian Walker; however, Bellinger is still a good option at first base and even center.
A Risk That Costs a Lot, But Could Also Give a Lot
Bellinger has had issues staying healthy in his career. However, when healthy, he is usually a good player. In 2017, Bellinger hit 39 homers with 97 RBIs in 132 games; this was his first season. After an underwhelming 2018, Bellinger easily won the NL MVP after 47 homers, 115 RBIs, and a .305 average. In 2020, he again performed underwhelmingly. 2021 was when Bellinger officially forgot how to play baseball with just ten home runs and a disgusting .165 average. 2022 saw Bellinger perform better but was still mediocre overall. 2023, finally, saw him have the highest average of his career, along with an excellent power season. 2024, possibly Bellinger’s final season in Chicago, was more mediocre than anything.
To sum up Bellinger’s career so far:
2017: 132 GP: 39 HR, 97 RBI, .267. NL Rookie of the Year
2018: 162 GP: 25 HR, 76 RBI, .260.
2019: 156 GP: 47 HR, 115 RBI’s, .305. NL MVP
2020: 56 GP: 12 HR, 30 RBI, .239.
2021: 95 GP: 10 HR, 36 RBI, 161. Career low home runs and average.
2022: 144 GP: 19 HR, 68 RBI, .210.
2023: 130 GP, 26 HR, 97 RBI, .307. Career high average, first-career 20/20 season.
2024: 130 GP, 18 HR, 78 RBI, .266.
Bellinger had an okay season in 2024. However, the prime of his career may not be over yet. The 29-year-old can steal and hit for power when he is fully healthy. Bellinger is a risky trade, but it may be worth it for the Yankees.
Main Image: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
