Outfielder Juan Soto will determine the path of the New York Yankees’ offseason. Regardless of where the 26-year-old signs, general manager Brian Cashman has a few winter must-dos to finish. Could one of them be a trade for outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger? The two-time Silver Slugger Award winner has spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Cubs. in signing a one-year contract in 2023, he re-signed for three years and $80 million, with options to opt out in 2024 and 2025.
Bellinger batted.266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs, 23 doubles, 78 RBI, and 72 runs scored in 569 plate appearances this season. Instead of seeking a new long-term contract, Bellinger declined his opt-out clause, keeping him with the Cubs next season. Unless Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, trades him away. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Bellinger makes sense as a potential trade target given the Yankees’ current roster requirements. Even if Cashman signs Soto for the next decade, the Bombers still need another outfielder and a first baseman.
Bellinger has played these two positions regularly. He has played all three outfield positions, but has spent the majority of his time in center. If he accomplished it in the Bronx, Aaron Judge could play a corner outfield position. However, if the outfield is set, Bellinger could fill the vacancy created by New York declining Anthony Rizzo’s 2025 option. The rumor mill has linked Bellinger and the Yankees multiple times in recent years. He was a trade target for New York before to the 2023 and 2024 deadlines. Before signing Soto from the San Diego Padres, Bellinger was a top free agent choice. Could it actually happen this winter? It will rely on the Cubs’ motivation to move him or not.
