The New York Yankees appear to have dropped out of contention for one of the premier offensive free agents in the market. The team, facing a need to bolster its outfield during the offseason, made significant acquisitions through trades, securing Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Trent Grisham. Prior to these transactions, the Yankees were strongly connected to Cody Bellinger, the former star outfielder of the Chicago Cubs and the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player.
Despite ongoing speculation, the likelihood of Bellinger joining the Yankees now seems remote. Even after the high-profile acquisition of Soto, there were lingering rumors about Bellinger’s potential move to New York. However, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, it appears that the Yankees have been definitively excluded from the Bellinger sweepstakes. Heyman stated, “I think the favorite right now has to be the Cubs for Bellinger. We can rule out the Yankees.”
This development may not come as a surprise at this juncture. While the Yankees have made significant strides in shoring up their outfield, there is acknowledgment that further impactful moves are required in the ongoing offseason to position the team as a strong contender for the 2024 World Series. While the outfield appears to be in good shape, the Yankees will need to explore other areas for potential improvements.