The New York Yankees came into the offseason focused on signing a left-handed slugger.
After missing out on free agent superstar Juan Soto, they then failed to pull off a trade to get left-handed hitting Kyle Tucker.
So where do they go to get that left-handed bat now?
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal thinks it is “obvious” that they go back to the Cubs to get lefty-hitting infielder/outfielder Cody Bellinger.
“As for the future and what else they’re going to do, they badly need a left-handed hitter, and Cody Bellinger is the obvious guy out there,” Rosenthal said on Foul Territory. “So at some point, I would not be surprised to see them add Cody Bellinger. Now where do you put him? You could put him in center field. You could put him at first base. Then do you not sign Christian Walker? Do you maybe focus on someone like Bregman, whose swing, and you guys know this is better suited for Minute Maid Park or Fenway Park than it is for Yankee Stadium, where (the) left field is a little bit bigger? So I don’t know that Bregman will be the choice.”
The Yankees have been discussing Bellinger with the Cubs, but there had been a reported roadblock with how much of his $52 million remaining salary plus opt-out Chicago would pay.
The 29-year-old Bellinger is coming off a decent year slashing .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs and could not only help the Yankees at first base but also in the outfield.
The Yankees are looking for power at first base and Bellinger has had it in the past, hitting a career-high 47 homers in 2019 and 26 in 2023.
They also need a center fielder to move Aaron Judge back to right field. Bellinger could give them some flexibility and insurance there if they try to use rookie Jasson Dominguez there.
MORE MLB: Yankees’ next moves after failing to trade for Kyle Tucker
