The New York Yankees acquired Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in the offseason, but he is reportedly expected to opt out after the season and enter free agency.
Bellinger has been a huge piece of the Yankees’ offense this season and figures to find a better contract in free agency. The Yankees could give him that contract, but they may not need him in the outfield.
Trent Grisham, coming off a career year, will also enter free agency. Many expect the Yankees to let Grisham walk and keep Bellinger around. With Spencer Jones inching his way to the big leagues, the Yankees could roll with Aaron Judge, Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez and Jones as their four outfielders.
However, FanSided’s Stephen Parello suggested the Yankees re-sign Bellinger and make him the first baseman, make Ben Rice the primary catcher, move Austin Wells to the bench and re-sign Grisham.
Wells has struggled this year, and right now, many experts expect the Yankees to let Paul Goldschmidt walk and make Rice the first baseman. However, letting Bellinger play first base, where he has shown he can play solid defense, would allow the Yankees to keep Grisham on the roster while also upgrading at catcher.
“Lastly, retaining Grisham gives the Yankees the defense and power they seek in center field, while they allow Jones and Jasson Dominguez to duke it out for the left field job, with the loser serving as the fourth outfielder extraordinaire,” wrote Parello. “The Yankees have already proven that they can find at-bats for all of these guys, so why not continue that trend?”
Bellinger figures to have a robust market, but the Yankees may be his preferred destination. He has always been willing to do whatever the team needs him to, and his becoming the everyday first baseman could solve plenty of problems.