Juan Soto. Trent Grisham. Alex Verdugo. Marcus Stroman.
Those are just some of the headline players the New York Yankees have added this offseason — and they are not done. There is one more big one coming with spring training beginning in less than three weeks, according to people around the industry.
Cody Bellinger remains unsigned as spring training nears.AP
“[GM Brian Cashman] has one more move up his sleeve,” a National League executive told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand in a story published Jan. 27.
For who, exactly?
A different executive predicted the Yankees will sign Cody Bellinger, and despite ace Blake Snell only having an offer from the Yankees on the table, New York has moved on, a source told NJ Advance Media’s Bob Klapisch. Thus, Snell will ultimately call San Francisco his next home.
“I don’t know if those are the exact moves,” the exec said. “But I think both of those clubs have money to spend and need to do something to make a splash.”
Feinsand talked to 10 front-office members about which teams would strike with a major move. The Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Yankees and Giants were mentioned most often.
Would Bellinger make sense with the Yankees’ current roster?
He could play center field, pushing Aaron Judge to a corner, or first base, where he could take over full-time in 2025 if the Yankees decline Anthony Rizzo’s team option.
Considering the Yankees have added Verdugo and Soto, their current corner outfielders, it would create a logjam in the outfield and at DH, Giancarlo Stanton’s only place in the lineup.
The configuration would also become more complicated when outfielder Jasson Domínguez returns from Tommy John surgery, likely around the All-Star break in July.
The other issue is the contract. While Bellinger posted strong box-score stats — .307 average, 26 home runs, 97 RBI, 20 stolen bases, 133 OPS+ — the underlying batted-ball data is not as promising.
The 28-year-old was well below average in barrel rate, average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage, according to Statcast, even as he sported the lowest strikeout rate (15.6%) of his career. Bellinger’s bounce back in 2023 came after two negative-value-hitting seasons following a shoulder injury and surgery.
What is he worth, and for how long? Those questions, presumably, are why Scott Boras’ client is still unsigned.
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