While the New York Yankees have indeed made attempts to sign slugging third baseman Alex Bregman, that move will cost them a significant hit to their payroll and solve just one problem.
In a more cost-effective proposal, NJ.com beat writer Randy Miller suggested a trade that would solve multiple problems for the Yankees.
It is no secret that the Yankees have been talking to the Cubs about first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, but Miller suggested a deal that gets the Yankees both Bellinger and Nico Hoerner.
That would fill the Yankees’ needs at first base and second base for Marcus Stroman and a prospect like pitcher Will Warren.
“Bellinger isn’t close to what he was in his 47-homer, NL MVP season for the Dodgers in 2019, but he’ll still hit you 25-to-30 homers without striking out much while playing excellent defense,” Miller wrote.
“Hoerner? He doesn’t hit for power, but he’s a right-handed bat who will hit .260, steal 30 to 40 bases, and play the heck out of second base. He’s won a Gold Glove and is a night-to-day difference in the field from Torres.”
In this scenario, Miller explains the Yankees can use Bellinger as a left fielder and sign first baseman Christian Walker or less likely Pete Alonso. Or they can use Bellinger at first and sign Anthony Santander or Jurickson Profar.
Either way, Bellinger is a left-handed bat that the Yankees need and feel will fit well with their short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium.
Bellinger isn’t the same hitter as 2019, no, but he’s an upgrade from what the Yankees got from first base and left field last year. The 29-year-old is coming off a decent year slashing .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs.
Hoerner is a solid .273 hitter, but more importantly, he improves the defense up the middle. He is considered to have among the best range in the majors, according to Baseball Savant.
That is especially important after the Yankees signed Max Fried, a groundball pitcher who depends on defense. Also, the Yankees’ poor defense really embarrassed them in the World Series.
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