The New York Yankees are in desperate need of left-handers to add much-needed balance to the lineup. Incidentally, two of the biggest players in the market right now, Cody Bellinger and Juan Soto, fit that criteria perfectly. So obviously, there are links between them and the Yankees. But putting all your eggs in one (or two?) baskets isn’t a smart strategy, which is why the club may go after two more left-handers. These names have come out of left field, so who are they?

The Bronx Bombers had a 2023 they’d like to forget. Still, there was one team that had an even more terrible time. It was the St. Louis Cardinals, who had a historically bad season. Though the Redbirds have a roster filled with versatile players, everything failed as they finished with only 71 wins. Now the Yankees, who have recognized the hidden quality of the Birds, have their eyes set on two of their outfielders.

The surprising names linked with the New York Yankees

While Juan Soto and Cody Bellinger remain major targets for the Pinstripes, they have decided to keep their options open. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the club is interested in Brendan Donovan. The 2022 Gold Glove award-winning utility player would be a big defensive signing for the Bronx Bombers. Although his hitting skills are on par with a career slash line of .283/.381/.398, the biggest advantage undoubtedly is his versatility. Donovan is known to play second, third, left, and right, essentially a good cover for quite a few positions.

This is important as the Yankees were ravaged by injuries in 2023, their lack of proper depth one of the main reasons for their collapse in the latter half of the season. So a player this adaptable will only make implosion unlikelier.

The second name is Alex Burleson. The left-handed outfielder has yet to replicate his fantastic performance in Triple-A (.331/.372/.532). He nonetheless has the potential to improve and might be a trade that is one for the future or the Yankees taking a risk because they believe in his potential.

With Juan Soto and Cody Bellinger still being a priority, this should help the Bronx team strengthen their bench strength. But what is currently the situation with both of these stars?

Cody Bellinger is slowly becoming target no.1 for the Yankees 

In an interesting situation, the biggest rival of the Yankees for both Cody Bellinger and Juan Soto happens to be the Chicago Cubs. While Bellinger had a career renaissance in the Cubs, Soto fits perfectly into the Cubs squad, maybe even more so than in the Pinstripes. But due to the current contract situation of Soto, the Yankees might decide to focus more on Bellinger. 

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Apart from this Bellinger has a deep connection with the Yankees owing to his father winning two world Championships with them. But the biggest reason for taking him in would be that he is a capable outfielder. His batting average in 2023 was .303, higher than every batter in the New York Yankees. He can solve a part of their hitting woes.

So now with the Yankees going after two relatively lesser-known players, would the fans be happy if the Bronx Bombers bomb in the proven superstar deals and sign these capable players with a potential to be stars in the future?

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