3 bold predictions for the New York Yankees at the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings
By Scott Roche
New York Yankees sign Cody Bellinger
At the trade deadline, the Yankees needed a left-handed bat and Cody Bellinger was an option, but the Chicago Cubs decided to hold onto the outfielder and just missed out on making the playoffs.
He had a big season in Chicago this season, slashing .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs and 97 RBI. It was a career year in terms of batting average, two percentage points higher than in 2019 when he clubbed 47 home runs and drove in 115 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His swing is made for Yankee Stadium and the short porch in right field and he showed what his swing would look like with a home run on July 7 at Yankee Stadium in a Cubs win. If healthy, he could hit over 30 homers and his defense will be an upgrade that what New York currently has.
Of course, Cashman could just go ahead and swing a deal with A.J. Preller and acquire Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres, who is entering the final year of his contract. Signing Bellinger to a multi-year deal is the better option for the Yankees than just one season of Soto will will more than likely seek free agency after next season.