New York Yankees Remain 'Engaged' With Superstar Slugger

As the New York Yankees continue to exchange names with the San Diego Padres about a potential trade package for superstar Juan Soto, they are also still talking to the agents of another outfielder.

According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, the Yankees remain engaged in talks with Scott Boras and Boras Corp about Cody Bellinger.

Regarding Soto, Kuty reports that the Yankees are "reluctant" to part with top talent such as top pitching prospect Drew Thorpe, and young major leaguers Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez.

If this is truly the case, and the Yankees and Padres can't find common ground on Soto, it would make the most sense for New York to sign Bellinger as Plan B.

Bellinger, 28, won NL Comeback Player of the Year with the Chicago Cubs last season and captured the NL MVP Award with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019.

Bellinger would provide much-needed left-handed pop to the Yankees' lineup, which would work well with the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium.

He also brings versatility given his ability to play all three outfield spots as well as first base. First baseman Anthony Rizzo is coming back from a concussion issue and is a question mark, and Dominguez will miss half the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

While the Yankees are trying to land Soto, it will cost them in terms of top prospects and potentially young major league talent. Bellinger would be a strong fall-back option that would only cost money, and they remain active in his market.