The Yankees’ pursuit of Cody Bellinger appears to be gaining traction as the Chicago Cubs grapple with their financial and roster challenges. After acquiring star outfielder Kyle Tucker, Bellinger, once a centerpiece of the Cubs’ lineup, has suddenly become expendable. The primary issue delaying a trade revolves around how much of Bellinger’s $27.5 million salary the Cubs would cover in a deal. However, with Chicago eager to offload payroll and New York still hungry for left-handed power, industry insiders anticipate that both sides will eventually find common ground.

The Cubs’ urgency stems from a simple reality: Cody Bellinger no longer fits into their outfield plans. Tucker’s arrival solidified their core, and Chicago’s desire to avoid excess financial strain now outweighs any need to retain Bellinger. While the Cubs may initially seek to limit their financial contribution, their bargaining power remains low given any further delay risks shrinking Bellinger’s market value. So, shedding even part of his contract could be considered a win for Chicago’s front office, allowing them to allocate funds elsewhere.

The clock is ticking for Chicago

According to MLB’s Mark Feinsand, “While it’s unclear exactly what the Yankees would send back in a deal for Bellinger, the Cubs aren’t likely to ask for a haul in order to shed some of Bellinger’s salary from the payroll. The two sides are seemingly far apart on just how much money Chicago would have to send to New York in a deal, but given that Bellinger doesn’t appear to have a spot in the Cubs’ lineup following the deal for Tucker, industry sources expect the Yankees and Cubs to come to a deal at some point.”

From the Yankees’ perspective, Cody Bellinger fills multiple critical needs. His ability to play both center field and first base provides manager Aaron Boone with flexibility, and his left-handed swing suits Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch perfectly. Despite modest power numbers in 2023, Bellinger represents an offensive upgrade for New York, which has sought lineup balance and consistent production all offseason.

The key sticking point remains financial. The Yankees are unlikely to assume the full burden of Bellinger’s contract, given luxury-tax implications and their other roster priorities. Chicago, aware of this must decide how much money they are willing to eat to facilitate the deal. While the Cubs may not demand significant prospects in return—prioritizing salary relief instead—the Yankees could still send back mid-tier talent as a concession for Chicago covering a larger chunk of the salary. Both sides know what’s at stake: the Cubs need financial clarity and the Yankees, a proven versatile bat. The only question is how soon the two sides will strike a compromise.

Cody Bellinger a perfect fit for the Yankees lineup?

Adding Cody Bellinger to the Yankees roster would be a move for the team since he could potentially fill some gaps and boost their chances of competing in upcoming matches. The addition of Bellinger’s batting style would provide a much-needed balance to the team’s mostly right-handed lineup. This can be a crucial advantage in a ballpark, like Yankee Stadium, which tends to favor left-handed power hitters. Their stadium aligns with his strengths, allowing him to display the home run prowess that helped him secure the NL MVP award in 2019.

Throughout the 2023 season, Bellinger focused more towards consistency rather than relying purely on power-hitting. He exhibited his knack for driving line drives to all corners of the field while displaying promise for generating base hits. Beyond his bat, Cody Bellinger offers defensive versatility that would instantly benefit the Yankees. He can play both center field and first base, two positions where New York has dealt with inconsistency and injuries in recent seasons. In center field, Bellinger’s glove and range would allow Aaron Judge to shift to a less demanding corner role, preserving Judge’s health over a long season.

At first base, he could provide relief for Anthony Rizzo, who has battled injuries and seen mixed results. This flexibility gives Aaron Boone additional options and strengthens the Yankees’ overall depth. So, if Bellinger manages to regain some of his MVP-level performance for the season, the Yankees could potentially make a difference by narrowing the gap between them and other teams like the Orioles and Blue Jays in the AL East division.