The direction of the New York Yankees' offseason will be dictated by outfielder Juan Soto. Regardless of where the 26-year-old signs, general manager Brian Cashman has several winter to-do list items to cross off. Could one of them include trading for outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger?
The two-time Silver Slugger Award winner has spent his last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs. After signing a one-year deal for 2023, he re-signed on a three-year, $80 million deal with opportunities to opt-out following 2024 and 2025.
Bellinger hit .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs, 23 doubles, 78 RBI and 72 runs scored in 569 plate appearances this season. Instead of looking for a new long-term deal, Bellinger declined his opt-out clause, keeping him with the Cubs next season. Unless president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer trades him away, of course.
The New York Post's Joel Sherman pointed out that Bellinger would make sense as a potential trade target based on the Yankees' current roster needs. Even if Cashman reels Soto in for the next decade-plus, the Bombers could still use another outfielder and a first baseman.
Those are two positions Bellinger has played frequently. He's appeared at all three outfield positions but has spent most of his time in center. If he did that in the Bronx, it'd allow Aaron Judge to play a corner outfield spot. But if the outfield is set, Bellinger could fill the void left by New York declining Anthony Rizzo's 2025 option.
Bellinger and the Yankees have been linked through the rumor mill several times in recent years. He was a trade target for New York before the 2023 and 2024 deadlines. Before they acquired Soto from the San Diego Padres, Bellinger was a top option in free agency. Could it finally happen this winter? It'll depend on whether the Cubs are motivated to move him or not.
