The New York Yankees are rushing to make up for the massive loss of Juan Soto and signed free agent Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract while also trading for shortstop Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers.
According to recent reports, the Yankees may not be done there, as one analyst believes there is another big move coming down the pipeline.
ESPN’s Jesse Rodgers said on “MLB Tonight” Friday that “the Yankees are not settled by a long shot. I think (Cody) Bellinger is high on that list … we’ll see if that makes it to the finish line.”
“The Yankees are underachieving by a long shot. I think (Cody) Bellinger is high on that list … we’ll see if that makes it to the finish line.”
– @JesseRogersESPN on #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/akk6eCvbY6
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 13, 2024
The Chicago Cubs made a huge trade on Friday, landing star shortstop Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, which only lends more credence to rumors of Bellinger’s departure.
Tucker’s presence as a left-handed power hitter makes Bellinger’s fit with the Cubs murky at best, and he would be a logical fit as Soto’s replacement in New York.
Bellinger would presumably take center field for the Yankees and slide Aaron Judge to right field, and given how high these rumors are, Bellinger’s price tag in a trade might not be too steep.
Bellinger just completed the first year of a 3-year, $80 million deal, so the Yankees could bring him in without making any huge long-term commitments.
He’s not a bad consolation prize for losing to Soto, and while there’s a lot of talk these days, we’ll see if the Yankees can take this one to the finish line.
NEXT: Stats show how Devin Williams has dominated since 2019
