Since losing superstar right fielder Juan Soto to their cross-town rival the New York Mets, the New York Yankees have pivoted to make some big moves to compensate. They have signed All Star left hander Max Fried for the rotation, traded for star closer Devin Williams, and now have traded for former National League MVP Cody Bellinger. Here’s what Bellinger can bring to the Yankees and the Bronx Bombers.
Experience
First things first, Bellinger is now a seasoned big leaguer with eight seasons under his belt. On top of that, he’s played in the most demanding markets in the National League in Chicago and Los Angeles. Playing in Los Angeles for six seasons, Bellinger took home the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year award, the 2019 NL MVP award, one Gold Glove, and two Silver Slugger awards.
With eight years of experience in the big leagues, Bellinger has managed to tack on a lot of postseason experience with the Dodgers. In the 2020 shortened COVID-19 season, Bellinger won the World Series while hitting four home runs across the entire postseason. In 2018 Bellinger was awarded the NLCS MVP, and in 2021 hit for an incredible slashline in 12 games of .353/.436/.471.
While Bellinger hasn’t been to the postseason since 2022, he’s shown he can step up when the lights are the brightest. The Yankees now fill a much needed hole in their outfield by adding a great fit when it comes to expectations from the fans, the media, and the bright lights of the playoffs.
Power to the Short Porch
It seems like with every left-handed hitter addition to the Yankees comes the hype that they’ll hit so many more home runs with the short porch in right field. Recent examples that didn’t translate as well were Joey Gallo and Alex Verdugo. Bellinger however provides a much more optimistic case.
When looking at Bellinger’s 2024 spray chart on Baseball Savant, it shows he pulled 15 of his 18 home runs, with the other three heading into left-center field. As someone who’s pulled the ball 45% of the time in his career, it’s not crazy at all to say that if healthy Bellinger should hit way more home runs in Yankee Stadium. The 29-year old should be able to cross over the 200 home run milestone easily in 2025.
Defensive Versatility
While it’s not the focal point of Bellinger’s game, he provides the Yankees with something that was desperately needed, especially in the postseason. With the infamous fifth inning of the final game of the 2024 World Series, Yankee fans must be rejoicing seeing an above average fielder make his way to the Bronx.
Bellinger’s reportedly been told that he will play center field for New York, but he also provides the ability to play first base as well. This allows the Yankees to possibly go to Ben Rice at first at times if they’re not able to land one in free agency, while giving Bellinger some reps there as well.
In 130 games in 2024, Bellinger was above average in the field, ranking in the 62nd and 64th percentiles for range and arm value, and the 74th percentile in arm strength. While the numbers aren’t jaw-dropping, his defense should certainly be effective enough for the Yankees on a daily basis.
Speed on the Basepaths
The Yankees have not had many bats in the lineup in recent years that can provide speed on the basepaths, but Bellinger can bring that to the ball club as well. In 2024 Bellinger ranked in the 77th percentile in sprint speed according to Baseball Savant. While he hasn’t surpassed the 20 stolen base mark more than once, the Yankees now have a potential 20/20 guy.
What’s Next?
The biggest remaining gaps to fill in this Yankee lineup now consist of the corner infield spots. While there’s been rumors of potentially waiting for the first base market to die down before making a move, the next move could be to sign a third baseman. Alex Bregman is a name to watch in the coming days, as the Yankees most likely want Jazz Chisholm Jr. back at second base for 2025.
Christian Walker is the name to watch for first base, but Pete Alonso could also be a name to watch here as well. Besides the corner infield, it seems like the outfield is set unless the Yankees want to add a bat like Anthony Santander or Jurickson Profar. With the Bellinger trade, the Yankees now have added a veteran outfielder with a career .818 OPS, and an abundance of postseason experience.
