A batter who was once better than Judge's and a teammate of the Rookie of the Year award, but he had to play three FA games
Dec 18, 2024
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Shortly after Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets on the 9th (Korea time), the largest in sports history, the Yankees acquired FA starter Max Fried for eight years and $218 million, the highest ever in left-hander history, and brought Milwaukee Brewers special closer Devin Williams in a trade. And he succeeded in securing Cody Bellinger through a trade with the Chicago Cubs on the 18th.
Bellinger is a player who offered a trade to the Cubs in case the Yankees failed to catch Soto. In other words, it is not a sudden recruitment.
The Yankees also agreed to pay $5 million for Bellinger. Instead, the player who gave up is 30-year-old right-hander Cody Fortit. Fortit is 30 years old this year and has only a few major league careers. In three years, he pitched in 24 games (13 starts) with a 5-4 record and a 3.80 ERA.
The Yankees brought a big shot to fill Soto's void without spending much money, so it can be seen as a successful trade. Bellinger, who renewed his FA contract with the Cubs earlier this year for three years and $80 million, will have $27.5 million next year and $25 million in 2026. Bellinger retained his contract by giving up player options next year, but whether he will also give up player options in 2026 depends on his performance next year.
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Northjersey.com mentioned in the order of second baseman Jazz Chisom Jr., right fielder Judge, center fielder Bellinger, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, left fielder Jason Dominguez, catcher Austin Wells, shortstop Anthony Wolfie, first baseman DJ LeMayhew, third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera/Oswald Peraza.
Judge is number two and Bellinger is number three. Judge hit twice mainly in 2022 and 2023 before Soto came, and this season he played Jeon Kyung-ki as the third hitter after Soto the second. There is a high possibility that he will visit his original position next year. Given that Bellinger is lower than Soto in terms of on-base percentage and clutch ability, it may be ideal for Judge to hit No. 2.
However, some predict that Bellinger will improve his batting at the Yankees. Bellinger appeared in 130 games for the Cubs this season, batting only 0.266, 18 homers, 78 RBIs, 72 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.751. It was a poor performance to give up next year's player option. The reason why it is expected to improve next season is because of the Yankee Stadium's characteristics that are advantageous to left-handed hitters.
ESPN said, `Bellinger, who is a pull-up style, will certainly be able to fly more flies to the right side of Yankee Stadium, which has a short fence distance`He has not been like a power heater in the past two years in hard hits and bat speed, which is the result of focusing on contact heating. Therefore, even if everything is smooth, Bellinger will be able to hit about 25 home runs.
ESPN continued, `The Yankees need a left-handed power heater to fill Soto's gap. In that case, Bellinger would be more suitable for the sixth batter' Bellinger said'For now, Bellinger is likely to be the second or third, but it's a matter of hitting the jersey that manager Aaron Boone wants'
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Bellinger and Judge were named rookies side by side in 2017. Bellinger had 39 home runs, 97 RBIs, 0.933, bWAR 3.9, and Judge had 52 home runs, 114 RBIs, OPS 1.049 and bWAR 8.0. At this time, Judge was superior. In 2018, Bellinger played in all 162 games, with 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, OPS 0.814, bWAR 4.2, and Judge's 27 home runs, 67 RBIs, OPS 0.919, and bWAR 5.9 in 112 games.
However, Bellinger opens his heyday by becoming the NL MVP in 2019. He hit .305 with 47 homers, 115 RBIs and 1.035 OPS in 156 games. On the other hand, Judge suffered from various injuries and hit only 0.272, 27 homers, 55 RBIs, and 0.921 OPS.
At the time, Bellinger was 24 years old, with three years left in the FA. Local media also expected Bellinger to sign the second $400 million contract after LA Angels Mike Trout. However, he hurt his shoulder while hitting a winning home run and excessive ceremony in the NLCS in 2020 and later fell into the abyss. And while he managed to revive at the Cubs in 2023, he is still far from his 2019 prowess.
Bellinger will have to decide whether to execute player options in 2026 at the end of next season. If I produce satisfactory results, of course I will give up the option and declare FA. Next year, following 2022 and 2023, is nothing short of 'FA 3s' for him.
jhno@sportschosun.com
