The Yankees are in need of a left fielder, and Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger could be a perfect fit ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
The New York Yankees have struggled to find consistency in their outfield this MLB season. That isn't surprising considering they started the season without a question mark in left field. More than halfway through the season, left field is still very much a concern. The Chicago Cubs might have the answer for the Yankees with Cody Bellinger.
Yankees center fielder Harrison Bader spent significant time on the IL, and right fielder Aaron Judge has been on the IL for over a month. Even with both of these players healthy, the Yankees still need another outfielder. Giancarlo Stanton's time in the outfield has been very limited, as he's primarily utilized as a DH.
It's been a revolving door in the Yankees outfield. Players who have seen outfield time this season aside from Bader, Judge, and Stanton are Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Oswaldo Cabrera, Aaron Hicks (DFA'd, now an Oriole), Willie Calhoun, Jake Bauers, Billy McKinney, and Franchy Cordero. Notably, some of these guys are primarily infielders.
While these players have done their best to hold down the fort while Bader was on the shelf (twice) and while Judge is on the shelf, the outfield really needs a boost. It isn't just defense that's been a problem.
Cody Bellinger would be the right fit for the struggling Yankees
The Yankees offense has been dead. Staggeringly, the Yankees are second to last in MLB in collective number of hits this season, ahead of only the Oakland Athletics. The team is barely clinging to a Wild Card spot in the American League standings.
Enter Cody Bellinger? Yankees general manager Brian Cashman should have his eye on this star. Bellinger has been linked to the Yankees in recent rumors. If the 27-year-old Cubs outfielder is a trade candidate, the Yankees need to make this happen.
Not only would he provide stability the Yanks desperately need in the outfield, he would be a great addition to the struggling lineup. Bellinger is slashing .298/.353/.493 in 2023 prior to the last game before the All-Star break. The Yankees' heavy right-handed lineup could use another quality lefty bat. Bellinger is having a solid season after being hampered by injuries for two years straight.
The last time the Yankees traded for a left fielder back in 2021 didn't go so well. The boos from the crowd in the Bronx probably still ring in Joey Gallo's ears. The bright lights of New York proved to be too much for Gallo, who hit .160 with the Yankees in 2021 and .159 in 2022 before being shipped out.
There's a key difference between Bellinger and Gallo that spells a recipe for success if Bellinger finds himself in the Bronx. Bellinger is no stranger to a big market team. The former Dodger spent six seasons in Los Angeles. During his time with the Dodgers, he became a World Series champion, a two-time All-Star, the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year, and the 2019 NL MVP.
Current Yankee Willie Calhoun spent time playing with Bellinger in the minor leagues. He recently told the media that Bellinger is a fit for the big market environment. "Obviously, he played in L.A. his whole career, and that's a big market itself," Calhoun said. "Chicago's a big market, too. I feel like he's built for this environment. He lives for these big moments."
The Yankees are all about big moments. The Bellinger family is no stranger to that. Calhoun pointed out that Bellinger grew up in a Yankees clubhouse. His father, Clay, played for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001. He won the World Series with the Yanks twice. "The Yankees obviously mean a lot to our family," Cody Bellinger told NJ Advance Media. While he's focused on his current team, his familial ties to the Yankees are not lost on him.
If the Yankees pull off a trade for Bellinger, they'd have the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year and the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year (Judge) on the same team. Bellinger could ignite the spark the Yankees have lacked. He also provides outfield flexibility, as he can play all three outfield positions. Bellinger can play first base, as well. The Yankees have gotten a good look at him in center field over the weekend while facing the Cubs in the last series before the All-Star break.
Is a Bellinger trade in the cards for the Yankees? He'd be a welcome addition to the organization. He's also potentially heading into free agency this upcoming offseason.
Bellinger can handle the bright lights of New York. Now it's just a matter of the Yankees making it happen. Your move, Cashman.
