The worst-kept secret in baseball became official Tuesday afternoon.
After much conjecture and plenty of rumors, Chicago Cubs OF Cody Bellinger was traded to the New York Yankees. The Cubs will eat some of Bellinger’s sizable player option. In return, the Yankees sent back pitcher Cody Poteet.
Bellinger fits a major need for the Yankees. He makes the club better defensively — though also far more versatile. He’s an above-average defender at both first base and in the outfield. His prowess in centerfield could enable Aaron Judge to play a less-taxing corner outfield spot.
The Yankees also are without a first baseman at the moment. One could envision a scenario where Bellinger functions there a good deal of the time. At the very least, New York now has some options in the wake of seeing Anthony Rizzo leave in free agency, and Kyle Tucker traded to — ironically enough — the Cubs.
Bellinger isn’t the same type of power threat he once was with the Dodgers. His swing is long and looping, and there have been issues with making contact. On the other hand, you’d have to think Bellinger will be energized playing for the club that his father represented nearly 25 years ago. He’ll be playing for a contender, and the short porch in right field clearly helps left-handed hitters.
With Tucker and Seiya Suzuki in the fold, Bellinger was essentially a superfluous asset in the Windy City. Poteet adds reliever depth to the Cubs bullpen. In three years with the Marlins and Yankees, he’s thrown 83.0 innings — allowing only 66 hits during that time. He has a career 3.80 ERA.
