This offseason, the Yankees acquired former NL MVP Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. New York additionally acquired $5 million in money issues from Chicago. For the reason that Bellinger commerce was a wage dump transfer by the Cubs, all of the Yankees gave up was depth pitcher Cody Poteet. Not like Wrigley Subject, Yankee Stadium is a heavenly place for left-handed sluggers like Bellinger. The 29-year-old is the right match for the New York Yankees lineup.
A Considerably Down 12 months In 2024
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After signing a five-year, $80 million deal final offseason, Cody Bellinger had a considerably down season. He completed 2024 slashing .266/.325/.436 with 18 dwelling runs, 78 RBI, and a .751 OPS. This was a far cry from the statistics he put up in 2023 that earned him Comeback Participant of the 12 months. It didn’t assist that he was taking part in in Wrigley Subject, a left-handed energy hitter’s graveyard. The previous NL MVP additionally missed practically three weeks of the season with a finger harm. Whereas his contract contained a participant opt-out, Bellinger correctly determined to train his 2025 possibility and earn $27.5 million as a substitute.
The Cubs Needed To Dump Bellinger And His Wage
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Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer was understandably sad about Bellinger’s resolution. As a result of tight price range constraints by Cubs proprietor Tom Ricketts, this severely restricted how a lot cash the staff may spend. The deal that the Cubs gave Bellinger final offseason had now turn into a foul contract for the staff. Regardless of having little leverage, the Cubs determined to aggressively try to commerce Cody Bellinger.
The Yankees Wanted An Outfielder And A Left-Handed Bat
In the course of the offseason, Juan Soto bolted for the New York Mets. This created a necessity for an outfielder in addition to a left-handed energy hitter. This now made Cody Bellinger the right participant for the Yankees to try to purchase. After the Yankees and Cubs hung out negotiating how a lot cash Chicago would tackle, a deal was ultimately completed. The Yankees acquired Cody Bellinger and $5 million in money consideration from the Cubs in change for depth pitcher Cody Poteet. This crammed the Yankees’ outfield emptiness and added a much-needed left-handed energy bat. He’ll be a part of a lineup that includes Aaron Choose, Giancarlo Stanton, Austin Wells, Jasson Dominguez, and Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Cody Bellinger Will Drastically Profit By Transferring To Yankee Stadium
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Not like Wrigley Subject, Yankee Stadium is a paradise for left-handed sluggers like Cody Bellinger. In 2024, the stadium noticed 113 dwelling runs hit by left-handed hitters. By comparability, Wrigley Subject solely yielded 78 homers to lefties in 2024, which was the fourth least in baseball. Final season, Bellinger himself solely hit eight homers at dwelling all 12 months. With the brief porch at his disposal, this provides him the chance to have a bounce-back season.
He’ll Assist The Yankees Enhance Defensively
Whereas Bellinger provides the Yankees one other left-handed energy bat, he additionally provides the staff defensive versatility. The previous Gold Glove winner can play all three outfield positions in addition to first base. Not like Juan Soto, the two-time all-star is an excellent defender. In his profession, Bellinger has 38 defensive runs saved and an outs-above-average of 29. Protection was a giant problem for the Yankees final season and Bellinger ought to assist the staff enhance in that space.
A Nice Addition To The Lineup
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Cody Bellinger goes to be a fantastic participant for the Yankees to have within the lineup. In any case, the Cubs are serving to pay down his wage and all it price the Yankees to amass him was a depth pitcher. Now that he’s out of Wrigley Subject and taking part in at lefty-friendly Yankee Stadium, he may probably have a bounce-back season. He’s additionally becoming a member of a gifted lineup which additionally proves ample alternative to place up huge statistics. Not like Juan Soto, the 29-year-old can play a number of positions on the sector and is an excellent defender. In at this time’s sport, it’s very exhausting to get a participant who is sweet each offensively and defensively, and the Yankees now have that in Cody Bellinger.
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