As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the New York Yankees’ roster needs are becoming more apparent. One significant area of concern is first base. Should General Manager Brian Cashman consider acquiring outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs?
Evan Massey of Sports Illustrated suggests it’s worth considering.
“Anthony Rizzo is currently injured, but even prior to his injury, there were discussions about the Yankees seeking an upgrade,” he noted. “This speculation included potential targets like Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., among others. Now, Cody Bellinger’s name has emerged as a potential trade candidate.
“With the Chicago Cubs struggling recently, New York should consider pursuing a trade for star first baseman Cody Bellinger.”
The Cubs have lost four consecutive games and are last in the National League Central as of June 27, with a 37-44 record. They trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 11 games and are five games behind the final NL Wild Card spot.
Conversely, the Yankees have faced their own challenges, losing three straight games and eight of their last ten. Despite this, they maintain a 52-30 record and a one-game lead in the American League East over the Baltimore Orioles. Thus, they are in a stronger position to make a trade compared to Chicago.
Bellinger Would Be a Huge Upgrade for New York
Although Bellinger’s 2024 performance hasn’t quite matched his standout 2023 season, he would still significantly bolster the Yankees’ lineup.
Last year, the left-handed slugger posted a .307/.356/.525 slash line with 26 home runs, 97 RBIs, 95 runs scored, and 20 steals for Chicago. He re-signed with the Cubs over the winter on a three-year, $80 million contract. However, only this current season, in which he’s earning $30 million, is guaranteed. Bellinger has opt-out options after the 2024 and 2025 seasons, allowing him to re-enter free agency if he chooses.
If the Cubs consider trading Bellinger, interested teams might view him as a short-term rental. Despite this, he would be a valuable addition to many lineups. This season, Bellinger is hitting .273/.333/.432 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs, and 32 runs scored over 291 plate appearances.
The Yankees are expected to be without Rizzo for about two months due to a fractured forearm. His position as the starting first baseman was already in doubt due to his early-season struggles, as he was hitting just .223/.289/.341 in 291 plate appearances before landing on the injured list.
Bellinger & the Yankees Have Been Linked Together in the Past
The notion of Bellinger joining the Yankees isn’t new. In 2023, during his impressive season, he played under a one-year, $17.5 million contract. Initially, Chicago planned to sell at the trade deadline, with Bellinger being a top candidate for a trade. However, a hot streak in July made the front office reconsider and retain all potential trade pieces.
Before this shift, there were already rumors about Bellinger’s fit with the Yankees, which persisted into the winter as he entered free agency. On November 7, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Bellinger was a top target for the Yankees to strengthen their outfield.
The speculation diminished after New York acquired Juan Soto in early December. However, with the Yankees still seeking offensive improvements and Chicago quickly falling out of contention, these rumors are likely to resurface. Instead of placing him directly in the outfield, Bellinger would probably enhance the underperforming right side of New York’s infield.
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