Dodgers → Cubs → Yankees, popular team All Kill! The charm of star-studded Bellinger's charm

Dec 18, 2024

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs hits a RBI single in the first inning off Patrick Corbin of the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on September 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Quinn Harris/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Quinn Harris / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 21: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on September 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. The Nationals defeated the Cubs 5-1. Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by NUCCIO DINUZZO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The New York Yankees have Cody Bellinger, a slugger who was an MVP. Bellinger made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers and entered New York City after passing through the Chicago Cubs. He went through only one of the most popular teams in the major leagues.

Major League Baseball's official website MLB.com reported on the 18th (Korea time) that the Yankees acquired Bellinger through a trade with the Cubs.

The Yankees lost Juan Soto, the strongest hitter in the league, to the New York Mets in this stove league. Bellinger was brought in to strengthen his offense.

After serving as the most popular team in the National League West and the most popular team in the Central District, he entered the Yankees, a prestigious American League East tradition and a popular national team.

Bellinger is a native of Arizona and received a Dodgers nomination in the fourth round of the 2013 rookie draft.

Bellinger made his splendid debut in 2017 with 39 home runs and 97 RBIs with an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of 0.933. He was named an All-Star and became a Rookie of the Year. In 2019, he swept the Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, and MVP. He helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020.

Bellinger is a hot hitter outfielder with a single long shot and has a great star quality.

However, the decline came sharply. In 2021, the batting average plummeted to 0.165. In 2022, he hit 19 home runs, but his OPS was only 0.654.

The Dodgers released Bellinger. The Cubs, a big market club in the Central District, reached out to Bellinger ahead of the 2023 season.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs dives as Garrett Stubbs #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies reaches first base during the second inning at Citizens Bank Park on September 24, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Chicago Cubs first baseman Cody Bellinger, bottom, cannot tag Philadelphia Phillies' Garrett Stubbs after Stubbs' run-scoring bunt single during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Cubs' gamble hit the bull's eye. Bellinger was resurrected like a ghost at the Cubs. He recorded a 26 home run OPS of 0.881 in 2023 and a 18 home run OPS of 0.751 in 2024.

Bellinger was able to declare an opt-out but did not exercise the right. The Yankees took Bellinger back.

MLB.com says 'two-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and one-time Gold Glove winner Bellinger is likely to take center field. Aaron Judge can return to right field. Bellinger can also play left field or first base. Bellinger inherited some of the Yankees' ancestry. His father Clay was a utility player during the Yankees dynasty in the late 1990s and harvested two championship rings, he explained.

MLB.com says 'Finally Bellinger gets a chance to wear a pinstrip. They are the fourth father-son duo to ever play for the Yankees,' he added.

dhhan@sportschosun.com

Dodgers → Cubs → Yankees, popular team All Kill! The charm of star-studded Bellinger's charm

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