As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the New York Yankees’ roster needs are becoming more evident. One significant issue for the Bombers is first base. Should general manager Brian Cashman consider acquiring outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs?
Sports Illustrated’s Evan Massey suggests it’s worth considering.
“Anthony Rizzo is out due to injury, but even before that, there were hints that the Yankees might want an upgrade,” he noted. “Several players were speculated as potential targets, including Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and more. Now, a new name should be of interest. With the Chicago Cubs struggling, New York should consider trading for star first baseman Cody Bellinger.”
The Cubs have lost four consecutive games and are at the bottom of the National League Central as of June 27, with a 37-44 record, 11 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers and five games behind the final NL Wild Card spot.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are facing their own challenges. They’ve lost three straight games and eight of their last 10. Despite this, New York maintains a 52-30 record and a one-game lead in the American League East over the Baltimore Orioles, putting them in a better position to buy than Chicago.
Bellinger Would Be a Significant Upgrade for New York
Although Bellinger’s 2024 performance hasn’t matched his resurgent 2023 campaign, he would still greatly boost the Yankees’ lineup.
Last year, the left-handed hitter slashed .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs, 97 RBIs, 95 runs scored, and 20 steals for Chicago. He re-signed with the Cubs this past winter on a three-year, $80 million deal. This season, in which he’s earning $30 million, is the only guaranteed year, with opt-outs after 2024 and 2025 if he chooses to test free agency again.
If the Cubs consider trading Bellinger, interested teams would likely see him as a half-season rental. Despite this, he would be a valuable addition to many lineups. This season, Bellinger is hitting .273/.333/.432 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs, and 32 runs scored in 291 plate appearances.
The Yankees will be without Rizzo for about two months due to a fractured forearm. However, his role as starting first baseman was already under scrutiny due to early-season struggles, hitting just .223/.289/.341 in 291 plate appearances before going on the injured list.
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Bellinger & the Yankees Have Been Linked Before
The idea of Bellinger joining the Yankees isn’t new. During his successful 2023 season, he played on a one-year, $17.5 million deal, with Chicago initially planning to sell at the trade deadline. However, a hot streak in July changed their plans, and they kept all potential trade candidates.
Before that, rumors suggested Bellinger would be a good fit for the Yankees. These rumors persisted into the winter as he entered free agency. On November 7, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Bellinger was at the top of the Yankees’ wish list to strengthen their outfield.
