MLB Analyst Predicts New York Yankees Will Sign Former MVP

This MLB analyst believes the New York Yankees will sign a former MVP in free agency.

The New York Yankees are in need of bats this offseason and one name that will be available is a perfect fit.

SNY analyst John Harper predicted that the Yankees will sign former MVP Cody Bellinger in free agency this winter.

The 28-year-old was considered to be one of the Yankees' top targets at this past trade deadline, but the Chicago Cubs caught fire and pulled him off the trading block.

Now, Harper sees it as an ideal match.

Via SNY:

"This seems like too perfect of a match for it not to happen. Of course, I thought the same thing when Corey Seager was a free agent two years ago and that didn’t happen, but the Yankees are in a more desperate situation now. And other than Ohtani, who will be too expensive for Hal Steinbrenner’s liking, Bellinger is the one free agent who can go a long way toward fixing their offense.

"Michael King’s late-season dominance while transitioning to the starting rotation gives the Yankees even more freedom to make the offense their priority. Also, Judge hinted that the Yanks need more high-batting average hitters, and Bellinger fills that request as well as the obvious need for more left-handed pop. And as a center fielder, he’s that much more valuable to them."

Playing for Chicago, Bellinger had his best year since his MVP season in 2019. He slashed .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs, 97 RBIs and 20 steals to go along with a 133 OPS+. His left-handed bat and pull-side power would also go well with the short porch at Yankee Stadium.

Bellinger's bounce-back season has made it obvious that he will decline his mutual option and test the waters of free agency. His father, Clay, also won two World Series titles with the Yankees.

Bellinger could play center field to start the season in 2024 until Jasson Dominguez is healthy. He would then presumably slide over to left field.