After falling short in the Juan Soto pursuit, the New York Yankees quickly adapted by bolstering their pitching staff with the addition of Max Fried. Now, attention is shifting to their next big move, which could potentially fill a critical gap in their lineup.
This offseason, the Yankees are targeting multiple areas, including first base, third base, second base, and the outfield. While both trade options and free-agent signings are on the table, the rising costs of free-agent contracts seem to be pushing New York toward exploring the trade market more seriously.
Among the most notable players the Yankees are linked to is All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has expressed interest in joining a World Series contender and is open to a position switch to first base. However, there’s another deal that might come to fruition sooner than expected.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have made significant progress in talks with the Chicago Cubs regarding outfielder Cody Bellinger.
As is the case with many teams, the Yankees face challenges in negotiating with the Cubs. Despite Bellinger being a coveted All-Star, Chicago has been reluctant to absorb any of his remaining salary and is hesitant to take on the financial risk should Bellinger opt into the final year of his contract in 2026.
- Bellinger’s 2023 stats—.266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs, 9 steals, and 78 RBIs—earned him one of the highest salaries among MLB outfielders. However, his performance took a step back in 2024, with a .130 drop in OPS, a .031 decline in OBP, and a significant decrease in WAR, from 4.4 to 2.2.
Despite his performance dip, the Cubs remain keen on shedding payroll, which could make a Bellinger trade more feasible. His left-handed bat would be a valuable addition to the Yankees’ outfield, but financial obstacles continue to complicate the deal as New York works to find a replacement for Soto.
