Yankees Reportedly Favorites To Land Superstar Slugger This Offseason
The New York Yankees have some work to do this offseason and it sounds like they may end up making multiple major splashes.
New York isn't far away from being a playoff team. The Yankees won 82 games in 2023 despite having one of the worst offenses in baseball. New York's anemic offense significantly hurt it, plus injuries decimated the club in general.
If New York can get healthy and add one or two impact players, it could be a playoff team in 2024. It sounds like the Yankees know this and reportedly are one of the favorites to land Chicago Cubs star Cody Bellinger, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale.
"The New York Yankees, (San Francisco Giants), and Cubs are the favorites for free-agent center fielder Cody Bellinger," Nightengale said.
This news isn't surprising. New York has been linked to Bellinger seemingly since the beginning of the 2023 season and continues to be mentioned as a fit. New York needs at least one new outfielder this offseason and Bellinger is the best one available. If the Yankees could sign him, he immediately would improve the middle of the Yankees' order.
Bellinger was a star again in 2023 after three straight down years. He dealt with a plethora of injuries but was healthy last season and it led to his best season since 2019. The 28-year-old launched 26 home runs, drove in 97 runs, stole 20 bases, and slashed .307/.356/.525. That's the type of production New York needs to help get its offense back on track.
New York will have some competition for Bellinger, but it wouldn't be too surprising if he ended up signing with the Yankees.
