December 17, 2024
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FROM MLBTR:
The Yankees are acquiring first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Cubs, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Cubs receive right-hander Cody Poteet and cash.
Quick Reaction/Thoughts:
I like the deal. I know Cody Bellinger isn't the MVP player he was years ago. Still, he's a solid player. He's a quality defensive player.
Bellinger plays centerfield which moves Judge to right field. That's a good thing.
Bellinger's OPS+ last year was 111. Only Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton were higher. Yes, he improves the offense. He's not Soto, but the Yankees are better right now than they were this morning.
Cody for Cody. Interesting. How many MLB players have been named Cody?
The 2024 Yankees right now:
C- Austin Wells
1b - ?
2b - ?
ss - Anthony Volpe
3b - Jazz Chisholm
lf - Jasson Dominguez
cf - Cody Bellinger
rf - Aaron Judge
dh - Giancarlo Stanton
A quality third baseman, Alex Bregman (?), and Carlos Santana, and then with the pitching they have, it would be just about time to roll with this club.
Bellinger is nice addition, He doesn't strike out alot and make contact so he should be +3-WAR and will contibute 20-25 HRs playing in Yankee Stadium will help. If Yankees add the right palyaers at !B and 3B they should be close to replacing the WAR they lost.
Good deal. Now, get corner infielders!
Trading a #7 starter for a lefty hitting starting centerfielder is OK by me. If he does what he did last year and fields CF fairly well that would be just fine. What makes this work is if the Yanks pick up upgrades at first and third bases. Another encouraging thing is that the Yanks may be able to sign free agents (Santana/Walker and Bergman) to fill the holes and keep their rotation intact.
Like it most with Bregman and Santana added. I see you came around on Santana. With Bellinger in the fold they can’t go wrong on a one year deal for him. Frees them to pursue Vlad next off season or at the deadline. Bellinger can take first vs tough righties. Bregman is the best infield fit by a fair margin. I’d sign the late 50’s Willie Mays too!
Love the trade- However, LF at Yankee Stadium is tough to play- I would prefer letting Dominquez shoot for CF (if he fails, then CB) and slotting CB for 1B