New York Yankees Reportedly Have One Major Concern About Bellinger
The New York Yankees have their sights set on former Chicago Cubs centerfielder Cody Bellinger this winter in MLB free agency.
After dealing with a shoulder injury for a couple of seasons, the 2019 National League MVP had a massive bounce back season in 2023 with the Cubs. So good in fact he was named the Comeback Player of the Year.
Bellinger displays Gold Glove defense in centerfield and at first base. His has the ability to hit 30 home runs a season and he proved with his .307/.356./525 slashline in 2023 that his bat is back.
But according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have some internal doubts about Bellinger's hard-hit rate.
"The Yankees like free agent Cody Bellinger but some Yankee people are worried about his hard-hit rate even after his brilliant season," writes Heyman.
"He seems like the perfect fit as an excellent center fielder who bats left-handed and hit .306 after a couple of rough injury years.
"But some analytics apparently work against him (my thought: hard-hit rate favors guys who whiff, aka Joey Gallo, not Bellinger, who hit .279 with two strikes by putting the ball in play)."
It's an odd concern as it didn't affect Bellinger's performance in 2023 as he hit 26 home runs. Bellinger has proven that the shoulder injury (and surgery) was behind him with his performance with the Cubs.
As Heyman points out, Bellinger is more prone to just put the ball in play when down in the count rather than swing for the fences. It gives him a more balanced approach than an all-or-nothing hitter. It shows discipline and situational awareness, something teams should want to see from a veteran player and a leader.
If New York doesn't want to pursue him for his hard-hit rate, he should have no issue landing with another team, particularly with the Chicago Cubs in a reunion.
