JUST IN: Yankees Set to Trade for $30 Million Anthony Rizzo Replacement

As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the New York Yankees’ roster needs are becoming more evident, particularly at first base. General manager Brian Cashman might consider acquiring outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs.

Sports Illustrated’s Evan Massey suggests this could be a worthwhile move.

“Anthony Rizzo is out due to injury, but even before his injury, there were rumblings that the Yankees might want an upgrade,” he said. “This led to speculation about various players as potential targets, including Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and others. Now, a new name should be of interest.

“With the Chicago Cubs continuing to struggle of late, New York should think about pursuing a trade for star first baseman Cody Bellinger.”

The Cubs are currently in a slump, having lost four straight games and sitting last in the National League Central as of June 27 with a 37-44 record. They are 11 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers and five games behind the final NL Wild Card spot.

The Yankees have had their own difficulties, losing three straight games and eight of their last ten. Despite this, they hold a 52-30 record and maintain a one-game lead in the American League East over the Baltimore Orioles, putting them in a better position to buy compared to Chicago.

Bellinger Would Be a Huge Upgrade for New York

Despite Cody Bellinger’s 2024 production not quite matching his impressive 2023 campaign, he would still provide a significant boost to the Yankees’ lineup.

The left-handed slugger slashed .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs, 97 RBI, 95 runs scored, and 20 steals for Chicago last year. He re-signed with the Cubs this past winter on a three-year, $80 million deal. Currently, the 2024 season, in which he’s earning $30 million, is the only guaranteed year, as Bellinger has opt-outs after 2024 and 2025 if he decides to test free agency again.

If the Cubs consider trading Bellinger, interested teams would likely view him as a half-season rental. Nonetheless, he’d be a valuable addition to many lineups. Bellinger is hitting .273/.333/.432 with nine homers, 34 RBI, and 32 runs scored through 291 plate appearances this season.

The Yankees will be without Anthony Rizzo for about the next two months after he fractured his forearm. However, Rizzo’s status as the starting first baseman was already in question due to his early-season struggles. He was hitting just .223/.289/.341 through 291 plate appearances before going on the injured list.

Bellinger & the Yankees Have Been Linked Together in the Past

The idea of Cody Bellinger joining the Yankees isn’t new. During his resurgent 2023 campaign, he was playing on a one-year, $17.5 million deal. Initially, Chicago had anticipated selling at the trade deadline, with Bellinger being a prime candidate to be moved. However, a hot streak in July convinced the front office to change course and retain all potential trade candidates.

Before Chicago’s change of plans, there were rumors about how well Bellinger would fit with the Yankees. These rumors continued into the winter when he reached free agency. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on November 7 that Bellinger was at the top of the Yankees’ wish list to bolster their outfield.

This possibility lost momentum after New York traded for Juan Soto at the beginning of December. However, with the Yankees seeking more offense and the Cubs quickly falling out of contention, these rumors are likely to resurface. Instead of plugging him into the outfield, Bellinger would likely upgrade the underperforming right side of New York’s infield.