Will the New York Yankees Seal a Cody Bellinger Deal After the Blockbuster Juan Soto Trade?

The New York Yankees seem to have their minds set on clinching a World Series berth next season. They got their outfield sorted for 2024 after getting Juan Soto in a blockbuster trade-in deal. The Pinstripes are still intent on acquiring other prospects when it comes to pitching and all-round players. 

Cody Bellinger was supposedly on the Bronx Bombers’ radar for the upcoming season’s roster. Given the player’s $250 million price tag and his injury-led past, his placement in any clubhouse seems uncertain as of now. How likely are the Yankees to still go after the center fielder given the shape of their current lineup?

The New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger matchup don’t just make sense

The New York Yankees clinched Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo in two offseason trade moves made during the winter meetings. It was already unlikely for them to go after Soto once the Verdugo deal was finalized. However, it looks like the Yanks just don’t want to leave anything up to chance for the next season’s playoffs.

Cody Bellinger has performed fairly well in the Dodgers’ dugout before his form saw a decline following a shoulder dislocation back in 2020. The 2019 NL MVP has opted for free agency this year after his year-long Chicago Cubs stay. In the wake of this, teams like the Cubs and the Yankees have been planning on getting him on their rosters for the upcoming seasons.

However, per a USA Today report, Bellinger has been seeking a hefty $250 million offer for his free agency deal. Bellinger also turned down a $20.3 million qualifying offer from the Cubs before opting for free agency. No matter how much the Pinstripes plan on getting him on the team, it is unlikely for them to splurge so much on a slugger who has a few years’ worth of games to deliver.

The New York Yankees were in dire need of clinching at least one powerful bat for their lineup. Now, with Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto, both finalized for the upcoming season, they do not have that space left empty anymore. If there is no need to draft Bellinger’s batting capabilities, where should the Yanks focus their finances next?

Pursuing promising prospects is the right way to go

The Yanks could do with some power-heavy pitching for the next season. Although they have been in the run for Shohei Ohtani, clinching a two-way star worth $500 million doesn’t seem like a feasible outcome, given that the Unicorn will not be able to pitch for the next year. Undoubtedly, the next best candidate is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has been predicted to receive an offer worth $200 million.

The New York Yankees would much rather go after Yamamoto, whom they can use on the field all year. Pursuing Bellinger seems like a moot point right now, as they do not need a third outfielder in an already batting-heavy lineup. Juan Soto has been traded for the year he had left on the Padres, so there’s a possibility of the Yankees extending his contract following the next season’s games.

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All things considered, it feels like the New York Yankees are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a comparatively better performance next season. Do you think the Verdugo-Soto pair will play out well enough to bring back the former glory to the team? Let us know in the comments below!

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