After losing Juan Soto to the Mets in a bidding war, the New York Yankees have found the answer to their outfield problem.
The Deal
Despite losing OF Juan Soto in a bidding war, it has been a fruitful offseason for the New York Yankees thus far. New York has been making many moves that will help improve the team for the short long term. They went out and acquired SP Max Fried and CP Devin Williams while also re-signing RP Jonathan Loaisiga. On Tuesday afternoon, they acquired OF Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in a blockbuster move. Going back to Chicago as part of the deal is RP Cody Poteet. This was a move that everybody anticipated would happen. We can now expect Bellinger to become the everyday centerfielder for New York now.
The 29-year-old veteran is coming off a productive season in a Cubs uniform. In 130 games played, he slashed .266/.325/.426 along with 18 homers and 78 RBIs. His power bat will be crucial for the Yankees as they gear up for the 2025 season. Additionally, his experience playing for high-profile teams like the Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers will be a plus, providing valuable leadership and poise in high-pressure situations from demanding markets.
Cody would also be the second Bellinger to put on a Yankee uniform. His father, OF Clay Bellinger, was the first one to do so. Clay played for the Yankees from 1999-01. During that time, he won two World Series with New York amidst a dynasty. Cody and Clay will now be the fourth father-son duo to play in a Yankee uniform. They join Mark Leiter and Mark Leiter Jr., Ron Davis and Ike Davis, and Yogi Berra and Dale Berra.
Why This Deal Could Help the Yankees
The Yankees certainly do need help in their outfield situation. Acquiring a talented player like Bellinger changes everything. After all, they have lost Soto to their crosstown rivals, which was a significant blow. New York had to make a move to respond to that loss. Fans haven’t been feeling so happy about Soto leaving, but now that the Yankees have acquired Bellinger, they should feel a bit better. It shows the team is being aggressive this offseason, which is exactly what the fans want to see.
The addition of Bellinger not only fills a void in the outfield but also provides a strong left-handed bat that complements the Yankees’ predominantly right-handed lineup. His ability to hit for both power and contact is what makes him such an intriguing player. That is something that the team has been looking to fill in Soto’s spot. Then you also have Bellinger’s defense. His Gold Glove-caliber play in center field brings stability to an area that has been inconsistent for the Yankees in recent seasons. The metrics were down on him this year, but he still has better range than OF Aaron Judge. This also sends a clear message: The Yankees are ready to be committed to a roster that’s capable of making a big postseason run.
Bellinger’s experience in the postseason is another reason why this deal will help the Yankees. His ability to perform in high-pressure moments, including his pivotal role in the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series victory, provides the Yankees with a player who understands what it takes to succeed in October. This type of leadership and postseason pedigree is invaluable for a team looking to make a deep playoff run.
Why This Deal Would Help the Cubs
Yes, this deal would hurt the Chicago Cubs’ organization and its fanbase, but it was a deal that to be done. Trading Bellinger to another team allows Chicago to free up some space financially. They will be paying the Yankees only $5 million in total, split between 2025 and 2026. Even better, with Bellinger gone now, Cubs President Jed Hoyer has the ability to build around OF Kyle Tucker, who they recently acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros.
With Bellinger’s money gone now, the Cubs’ projected Opening Day payroll now sits around $174 million. The team will have at least $20 million to spend on. It would be interesting to see how wisely the team uses it. There have been rumors about the Cubs being linked to Miami Marlins LHP Jesus Lúzardo, who’s expected to earn $6 million through arbitration. Chicago has also expressed interest on RHP Luis Castillo. Though it’s unclear if Seattle is willing to part ways with one of their best starting pitchers.
What’s Next for the Yankees
After addressing their outfield situation, New York will now turn to the first base market. With 1B Anthony Rizzo already gone, the Yankees do need help at that position. Names like 1B Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana, and Paul Goldschmidt are available. As of right now, incumbent 1B Ben Rice is currently a downgrade. However, if they’re able to land any of these names mentioned, there would be some signs of improvement. In addition to that, they might also need help at the third base position. They have been linked to names like 3B Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado.
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