The New York Yankees are one of baseball’s finest teams, with a 54-33 record. They are one game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. The team is likely to add a bat to their lineup before the July 30 trade deadline. According to Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer, the Yankees could target Cody Bellinger of the Chicago Cubs.
Rymer proposed a player trade that would land Bellinger in New York.
Yankees get: centerfielder/first baseman. Cody Bellinger
The Cubs acquire catcher Agustin Ramirez.
Ramirez is the Yankees’ No. 20 prospect. Ramirez, 22, was promoted to Triple-A this season. This season, he had a.942 OPS in 58 Double-A games.
Yankees are interested in Cody Bellinger.
The Yankees and Bellinger, 28, were linked to trade rumours last season, according to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, Katie Woo, and Patrick Mooney.
Levi Weaver of The Athletic said that Bellinger had “drawn interest” from the Yankees. In a July 2 piece that covered trade deadline news.
Bellinger meets both current and potential season-long needs for the Yankees. With Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, Aaron Judge has moved to right field and Trent Grisham to centerfield. Bellinger might start straight away as an upgrade to Grisham.
However, Rymer remarked that the necessity for centerfield will not last long. When Stanton returns, Judge can move back to centerfield.
“First base is more of a question mark, however. Anthony Rizzo will not be sidelined indefinitely with a fractured forearm, but the Yankees should not be happy to wait for him,” noted Rymer. “All told, his last 116 games have yielded a .577 OPS.”
Ben Rice has been playing first base in Rizzo’s absence. The 25-year-old has only played 13 games in the major leagues. So far, he has a batting average of.270. However, as with most young players, the rookie may see regression as clubs acclimatize to him.
“Besides, New York simply needs another reliable bat. Even when Stanton was in the order with Judge and Juan Soto, he only hit 18 home runs and had an OBP of.302, according to Rymer.
The Cubs are eight games below.500 and 12 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. However, they may not intend to sell large quantities at the transaction deadline.
“The Cubs were not meant to sell at the trade deadline. Their front staff has been making adjustments throughout the squad, attempting to gradually improve a team with 19 one-run losses, the most in the majors. But opponents must be prepared in case things worsen and the Cubs alter course,” said The Athletic’s staff.
Cody Bellinger’s Contract
Bellinger inked a three-year, $80 million contract with the Cubs prior to the season. Bellinger won the National League MVP award in 2019 for the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, after three subpar seasons, he signed a one-year contract with the Cubs in 2023. His revival won him his present contract.
Bellinger is cutting.This season, he has hit 267/.327/.416 with 9 home runs and 34 RBIs as of July 2. Bellinger is unquestionably an improvement over the Yankees’ present scenario at first base. He has made 267 career starts at first base.
Bellinger’s deal makes him a challenging trade target. With opt-outs after 2024 and 2025, he might be either a rental or a significant financial commitment until 2026.
“However, the Yankees are already facing an estimated $61.5 million luxury-tax penalty. Not a deal-breaker, perhaps, but one can imagine they’ll look for less expensive enhancements,” Rymer added.
The Yankees face a decision on Soto’s contract. They may be unwilling to make a financial commitment to Bellinger if it means not being able to afford Soto.
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