January 5, 2025

After losing Juan Soto to their arch-foes across the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York Yankees made a splash of their own this offseason, trading for OF/1B Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. The Yankees gave up right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet and cash to acquire Bellinger. The 2019 National League MVP saw his career turn for the worse in the years after that before eventually refinding his rhythm. From 2020-2022, in 295 games (1,032 ABs), Bellinger slashed .203/.272/.376 with 41 home runs and 134 RBI. In the past two major league seasons (2023-2024), though, he has looked much more like his old self, slashing .286/.340/.475 with 44 HR and 175 RBI in 160 games (1,125 ABs). Durability is also a factor, as he has missed 60 contests over the last two seasons with injuries and hasn't played over 150 games since 2019. The most essential thing Bellinger needs to keep in control of to continue his success is his plate discipline. Like so many other major league hitters, Bellinger is best when he is patient in the box. For example, during Bellingers poorer seasons, his K% was 25.0%. During his resurging seasons, it was 15.6% ( to put that into context, during his MVP season, it was 16.4%). Bellinger will have plenty of protection in the power-filled Yankee lineup that includes Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt, Giancarlo Stanton, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Currently, Bellinger is projected to hit fifth in the batting order in between Goldschmidt and Stanton. Steamer is projecting the 29-year-old to hit 23 home runs and steal 21 bases over 136 games. Bellinger has an NFBC ADP of 118.12, which aligns with his overall RotoBaller ranking of 124, making him a solid pick in that range.--Jake Kleiner - RotoBaller