Unless you’re hellbent on measuring the Yankees’ first lineup move in the post-Juan Soto era solely against the offensive wizardry of Soto himself, there’s plenty to like about their trade for Cody Bellinger.
He’s a lefty, potential power bat in the short porch haven known as Yankee Stadium. Yum. He figures to balance out a lineup that can skew righty.
He’s also a nifty example of positional flexibility as a player with enough speed and arm to play center field, while also possessing the kind of soft hands that would thrive as a first baseman, too. Bellinger doesn’t turn 30 until next July and it’s a short-term commitment – he’s signed for two more years, though he can opt out of his contract after the 2025 season.
And if you’re a fan of narrative – who isn’t? – Bellinger’s dad, Clay, was a utility man on the 1999-2000 Yankees and has two World Series rings. Like father, like son? Yankee fans sure hope so. Meanwhile, Clay and Cody Bellinger will be the fourth father-son duo to play for the Yankees, along with Yogi and Dale Berra, Ron and Ike Davis, and Mark Leiter and current Yankee, Mark Leiter Jr.
“I’m bullish on this trade for the Yankees,” said a scout from another organization, who discussed the deal on condition of anonymity. “He’s won an MVP. He’s a very good athlete. He’s done it before. It’s not like he’s 35.
“Playing with [Aaron] Judge, it seems to elevate a lot of people’s performance. Bellinger will have opportunities whether he hits in front of Judge or behind him. It works for the Yankees because they can see where he fits. He can play four positions (first base and all three in the outfield). There are so many variables.”
The Yankees are reportedly viewing Bellinger as their center fielder, which is another pinstriped boon. That would allow them to move Judge back to right field, his natural position, and perhaps lessen the wear-and-tear on their megastar while strengthening their defense.
In the trade, the Yankees are getting Bellinger and cash – reportedly $5 million – from the Cubs in exchange for 30-year-old righty Cody Poteet, who was 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in five games (four starts) last season. Poteet would’ve had a chance to show more, but he missed three months with a triceps strain.
Still, the Yankees didn’t have to dig deep into their farm system because the Cubs wanted out of Bellinger’s contract, which could pay him $52.5 million over the next two seasons.
Is it a perfect trade? Of course not. Bellinger was a hard-contact monster earlier in his career, but some of those metrics have sagged in recent years. He chases more than he did as a youngster, too. He went through an alarming two-season funk with the Dodgers after profiling as one of the best young sluggers in baseball in his first three years.
Still, it’s easy to dream of a player who was the 2019 NL MVP in Los Angeles — he hit 47 home runs and notched a 1.035 OPS. Then, after his struggles, Bellinger had a big rebound season in 2023, his first in Chicago. He batted .307 with 26 homers and 97 RBI. Last season his number regressed, however: .751 OPS, 18 homers, and 78 RBI in 130 games.
Overall, Bellinger’s got an impressive list of accomplishments, including what’s already been mentioned. He also won the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers, received 2018 NLCS MVP honors, earned a 2019 Gold Glove in the outfield, captured two Silver Sluggers, and was named the 2023 NL Comeback Player of the Year.
In 2017, Bellinger was the NL Rookie of the Year and broke Frank Robinson’s NL record for home runs by a rookie, with 39. Bellinger’s mark was toppled two seasons later, though, when Pete Alonso hit 53 for the Mets.
Another possible plus: MLB’s Statcast suggests that Bellinger will fit at his new home ballpark, something the eye test backs up. According to Statcast, had Bellinger played all of his games at Yankee Stadium last season, he would’ve finished with six more home runs than he had.
“I think he’s well-built for Yankee Stadium, that’s for sure,” said a second scout, who also spoke when granted anonymity. “I think it’s important for the Yankees to have left-handed hitters. They’ve always been successful when they’ve had threats from the left side. You should tailor your team to your ballpark.”
Obviously, Bellinger is no Soto, and the Yankees aren’t intending this move to match what they lost when a generational hitter changed boroughs. But acquiring Bellinger is another way the Yankees are moving their roster forward in a pivotal winter.
They’ve added a lefty slugger, a potential ace-type in Max Fried, and Devin Williams, one of the game’s best relievers. There’s still more work to do – they need either a second baseman or third baseman (Jazz Chisholm will play one of those spots) and, likely, a first baseman.
So far, they’ve been aggressive in tackling their openings. It’s being noticed.
“I just think it’s been impressive,” the first scout said. “It shows they had a legitimate Plan B in place if Soto said no. Within 48 hours or so, they signed Fried. They traded for Williams and now Bellinger. I don’t think they’re done yet. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they got very proactive.”
