The New York Yankees swung a huge trade with the Chicago Cubs to acquire outfielder Cody Bellinger last offseason. After a huge year in the Bronx, Bellinger opted out of his contract in order to head to free agency again.
With Bellinger sitting on the open market, the Yankees are expected to be among the favorites to sign him. But they’re not going to be the only suitors in the sweepstakes.
Nick Selbe and Will Laws of Sports Illustrated recently predicted Bellinger would ditch the Yankees and sign with the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency.
“After being traded to New York in what was essentially a salary dump for the Cubs, Bellinger swatted 29 home runs—his most since hitting 47 in his MVP campaign in 2019—to go along with a career-best 13.7% strikeout rate,” Laws and Selbe wrote. “Add in plus outfield defense in the corners and capable coverage in center field, and the decision to opt out of his contract was an easy one. Bellinger is clearly one of the premier bats available this winter—not too bad for a guy who was non-tendered by the Dodgers just three years ago.”
The Phillies have needed to add a star outfielder for the last few seasons, but they haven’t been able to do so. Adding Bellinger would be the blockbuster move that the Phillies need to make.
It’s going to be tough to poach Bellinger from the Yankees, but the Phillies should have the money to make a move. It would be a bit shocking, but it’s certainly possible.
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