Cody Bellinger Will Have A Huge Say On 2025 Yankees Season

Cody Bellinger Will Have Huge Say On 2025 Yankees Season

Cody Bellinger is not the player he used to be. There should not be any arguments there. The days of the former MVP knocking in 47 home runs with a 1.035 OPS are long gone. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t a useless player. For Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees, they are hoping and praying that he can still play at an above-average level. They acquired the infielder/outfielder from the Chicago Cubs this evening along with $5 million in cash.

It was a small return of journeyman pitcher Cody Poteet. They gave up so little because of his considerable salary for both this year and potentially next year. With the loss of Juan Soto, the Bronx Bombers will need Bellinger to play to his price tag or even exceed it. Even if his bat has faded out in recent years, Aaron Boone is going to stick him in the top of the lineup. He will either bat in front of two-time MVP Aaron Judge or right between him and ALCS MVP Giancarlo Stanton. His swing fits in nicely at Yankee Stadium. The elements for success are there but it’s on him to show the baseball world he isn’t declining.

One Step At A Time

On a positive note, one thing Bellinger trumps the outgoing Soto in is outfield defense. He is an impressive athlete, and won the Gold Glove in Center Field back in 2019. Boone has the luxury of letting him play in Center, Left Field, or First Base and he would perform nicely. For now, it is confirmed that the former Rookie of the Year is going to roam Center:

In the same vein, Belli is a good baserunner and could pick up extra bags with the heavy-hitting duo of Judge and Stanton. However, the key will hinge on his bat. A career .259 hitter, he has only had a batting average over .300 in two seasons. He will have to show an ability to put the ball in play and beat opposing pitchers to lengthen the lineup. As it stands, the team with the third most runs-per-game in 2024 is still going to take a major leap back.

Brian Cashman has already shown his hand of how he’d like to improve the Yankees. He is trading run production out for run prevention. Adding star pitchers like Max Fried for the rotation and Devin Williams for the bullpen is not a bad place to start. An athletic defender in the outfield like Bellinger also helps. However, baseball is won when you score more runs than the opponent. Bats like Bellinger and other additions at positions like first and second base will be key to their success. Furthermore, development from young major-leaguers like Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Jasson Dominguez is an expectation more than it is a request.

Cody Bellinger is a New York Yankee but should be prepared for a weight of expectations. The first lefty slugger to don pinstripes since Juan Soto will have a lot asked of him.

Click Here for more MLB Content

Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Check out Vendetta Fantasy Contests