The New York Yankees may opt to pursue another intriguing free agent bat, as the team has yet to re-sign Cody Bellinger.
New York has submitted two offers to Bellinger, but the team reportedly is not close to signing the star slugger. With the Yankees still not close to signing Bellinger, MLB insider Jon Heyman believes New York could look to sign Bo Bichette instead of Bellinger.
“The Yankees and No. 1 target Cody Bellinger have exchanged multiple proposals. But haven’t closed the gap quite enough to shut off other possibilities. Either for Bellinger or the Yankees, who are now looking more seriously at superstar infielder Bo Bichette,” Heyman wrote on Thursday.
“Bellinger is receiving interest from his old Cubs and Dodgers teams, among others. While the Yankees consider different major lineup enhancements, notably Bichette, who they contacted early in winter but who wasn’t mentioned publicly until last week in this space.”
If New York does pursue Bichette, he could play either shortstop or second base, which could mean the team trades Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Anthony Volpe.
Yet, there still is a chance the Yankees get a deal done with Bellinger, but Heyman thinks the gap is so big that New York is looking at other options.
Yankees Open to Trading an Infielder for Bichette
New York’s infield appears to be set, but the Yankees could make a trade to sign Bichette.
The Yankees are focused on adding a bat, so Bichette could become the focus if they can’t close the gap with Bellinger. The team could then get assets back in a trade for Chisholm or Volpe.
“The Bellinger situation is fluid, so a return to The Bronx remains possible for the versatile, two-way outfielder,” Heyman added. “But the middling progress in talks certainly invites other possibilities — for now, anyway.
“The Yankees’ dalliance with Bichette is interesting in that they have no obvious current infield opening beyond shortstop to start the year with Anthony Volpe out early following shoulder surgery and a potential first base platoon. It’s also possible Bichette could play second if the Yankees trade All-Star Jazz Chisholm.”
Bichette has led the AL in hits twice. He hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs last season.
New York Has a ‘Sizable’ Gap With Bellinger
The Yankees have submitted two offers to Bellinger, but neither is close to what he wants.
Bellinger is looking for a lucrative long-term deal this offseason. MLB insider Buster Olney revealed there is a gap between the two sides.
“He is coming off an excellent season and the New York Yankees want to retain him. But there is apparently a sizable gap between what his side wants and what the team is willing to pay,” Olney reported Tuesday. “Bellinger made $27.5 million last season. And it’s hard to imagine his representative, Scott Boras, settling for a deal that averages less than that.”
Bellinger fit in nicely in the Yankees lineup as he hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs. He’s a two-time MLB All-Star. He was NL MVP in 2019.
Yankees Could Turn Attention to Surprising Free Agent as Bellinger Hopes Fade