LAS VEGAS — The simplest and cleanest domino to fall to arrange the Yankees’ excellent offseason could be for Cody Bellinger to re-sign.
There could be extra strikes to make round it, in fact, however much less heavy lifting than the choice.
As a result of if Bellinger finally ends up being one-and-done in The Bronx, then what?
Bellinger doesn’t simply fill an outfield spot — seemingly heart discipline if Trent Grisham declines the $22.025 million qualifying supply and indicators elsewhere, or left discipline if he accepts it — however the left-handed hitter provides a reputable menace to offer safety behind Aaron Choose, as he did for many of this season.
The Yankees may bump Ben Rice into that function, although Aaron Boone usually had him hitting in entrance of Choose, and both manner, their lineup wouldn’t be practically as deep with out one other big-time acquisition.
As a result of if the Yankees are usually not in a position to carry again Bellinger — The Publish’s Jon Heyman has projected a six-year, $180 million contract for the 30-year-old — that seemingly means they might be out of the operating for Kyle Tucker, as effectively, the highest free agent place participant who is predicted to land a deal north of Choose’s $360 million contract.
And past Tucker and Bellinger, the free agent market shouldn’t be precisely overflowing with difference-making outfielders.
Subsequent in line could be Grisham, who might or might not settle for the qualifying supply coming off a breakout season, after which Harrison Bader, who has already had one so-so go-around in The Bronx.
There’s at all times the commerce market as effectively, however that will get extra difficult.
Would lacking out on Bellinger (and Grisham declining the supply) persuade the Yankees to go the youth route, giving Jasson Domínguez one other shot at an on a regular basis left discipline function and Spencer Jones a possible path to creating the staff as its heart fielder out of spring coaching?
That situation could be banking an terrible lot on hope and potential — and include a fair proportion of rising pains, because the likes of Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells have reminded — maybe an excessive amount of so for a staff operating out of time to capitalize on Choose’s prime.
The safer route would seemingly contain signing a confirmed heart fielder like Bader, a right-handed hitting one at that.
The Bronxville native is thought extra for his glove however is coming off among the finest seasons of his profession wherein he hit .277 with a career-high 117 OPS-plus throughout 146 video games between the Twins and Phillies.
The 31-year-old was well-liked in his time with the Yankees but additionally has an harm historical past regardless of staying principally wholesome the final two seasons.
The subsequent-best free agent heart fielder would both be former Oriole Cedric Mullins, coming off the worst 12 months of his profession, or Mike Yastrzemski, the 35-year-old who could also be better-suited for a nook.
One choice that doesn’t look like in consideration is shifting Domínguez again to heart discipline.
Aaron Boone stated final month that the main target was on preserving Domínguez in left discipline, which is the place he’s anticipated to play with Escogido within the Dominican Winter League, having arrived there this weekend and more likely to begin enjoying video games quickly.
When he does, the 22-year-old can be anticipated to get a heavy dose of right-handed at-bats, making an attempt to enhance his weaker facet.
The benefit of bringing Bellinger again is his defensive versatility, which retains the Yankees’ choices open.
If Grisham accepts the qualifying supply, Bellinger may play left discipline or first base.
If Grisham declines the supply, Bellinger will be the common heart fielder.
If Jones involves camp and reveals he may legitimately threaten for a job, the Yankees can transfer Bellinger throughout whereas nonetheless preserving his bat within the lineup on an on a regular basis foundation.
However that can be what makes Bellinger, a Scott Boras shopper, enticing to different groups.
His suitors may embody the Dodgers, his former staff, together with the Mets and Phillies (if they can not carry again Kyle Schwarber), amongst others.
The groundwork for what it is going to take to carry again Bellinger may start this week right here on the normal managers conferences, however for the Yankees, the work could also be even heavier if a reunion shouldn’t be within the playing cards.
