.png)
After an abysmal first half (dramatic?), the Yankees find themselves a spot of the playoffs, a game ahead of the last place Red Sox in the division, and fans chomping at the bit for some kind of change. The ship hasn't sailed like the cross-town Mets, or the star studded Padres, but things are looking bleak. They finish the first half at 49-42, which would put them on pace for a 87 win season. If 87 wins is the magic number, then that would be their least in a full season since 2016, the last time they missed the playoffs.
Pitiful.
Clearly, things need to change, and they need to change quick. For starters, the offense needs a spark plug, and there is an obvious answer that is hitting the team right in the face.
Cody Bellinger.
I'm surprised after the weekend series against the Cubs, that a deal wasn't already made before the team made the trip back to Chicago. Obviously, the Yankees price will be higher than usual, and he'll be a hot target on the market for contenders and builders, but that's the price you have to make for one, not making him an offer in the offseason, and two, not signing a left fielder as a whole like you promised fans.
That's neither here nor there. The former MVP to the Bronx should, could, and probably will happen, but until that day comes, here are the three reasons why it needs to happen.
The Obvious Reason: Lefty Bat and Left Field Need
The former MVP is having a bounce back year in Chicago, batting a nice .298/.352/.486 slash line with nine home runs, 29 RBIs, and 43 runs scored. He's been one of the better hitters for Chicago, let alone the National League. He could provide an instant spark plug not only at the plate, but in the corner outfield spot as well.
The Yankees left field has been played by a handful of players, none of whom are providing much at the plate on a consistent basis. On the defensive side, it's been a clear issue. One that could have been avoided this offseason, but again, that's neither here nor there.
Bellinger offers consistent and versatile outfield play, and could also swing over to first if need be.
The Also Obvious Reason: The Yankee Connection (and Cubs trading to the Yankees connection)
Clay Bellinger won two World Series with the Yankees, and the franchise means a lot to Cody and his family. The writing is in the wall, and how poetic would this be, for the
Also, the Yankees and Cubs have made a handful of trades in recent years, so why not add one more to the transaction list? In 2022, it was reliever Scott Effross for prospect pitcher Hayden Wesneski. In 2021, the core blew up and Anthony Rizzo became a Yankee. In 2019, Ronald Torreyes was shipped to Chicago. 2016, The Yankees have sent reliever Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs in return for Gleyber Torres, Adam Warren, and Billy McKinney. 2015, Starlin Castro became the Yankees second baseman after a trade. And in 2013, Alfonso Soriano got traded back to the Bronx. You get the point.
Moves have been made, legacies are being built, all three parties have connections. It's a match made in heaven.
The Even More Obvious Reason: Bellinger will seek a bigger payday after the season ends.
Bellinger is currently playing on a one-year, $17.5 million deal, which also includes a mutual option for 2024. The Cubs currently sit at 42-47, 6.5 games back from a wild card. If Bellinger keeps performing like this, he clearly will decline the option, and seek a longer and more lucrative deal. The Cubs can't afford to let him walk for nothing. The Yankees have plenty of prospects to ship off, and could even throw in a bullpen arm to sweeten the deal.
Comments