Yankees Target Wins NL Comeback Player of Year

The New York Yankees are considered co-favorites to land Chicago Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger.

A free agent that could help solve issues the New York Yankees have in the outfield was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year on Tuesday night.

Cody Bellinger won the award after he had a huge bounce-back season with the Chicago Cubs, one that most believe will get him a big contract on the free-agent market.

Among those that think so is The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, who recently wrote about free agency fits for each team. He picked Bellinger for the Yankees, projecting a seven-year, $177 million deal, and not just because of his bat:

He also provides terrific versatility because he’s able to play above-average defense at first base and in all three outfield positions. With the Yankees, he could play center or left field and eventually move to first base in the future when Anthony Rizzo departs.

The Yankees are reportedly co-favorites to land Bellinger, along with the San Francisco Giants.

Bellinger’s bat isn’t in question after he won a Silver Slugger in 2023 after he slashed .307/.356/.525/.881 in 130 games with 26 home runs and 97 RBI, despite missing a month with an injury.

That followed two awful seasons in Los Angeles with the Dodgers, in which he barely batted .200 and dealt with injuries that limited his ability to play at the level that made him the 2019 National League MVP and a 2020 World Series champion.

Bellinger is also a former NL Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove recipient.

He signed a two-year deal with the Cubs last offseason, one that came with a mutual option for $12 million in 2024. Bellinger turned down the option and then turned down the one-year qualifying offer of $20.325 million, which was a formality as the Cubs did it to ensure it would receive some draft compensation if he signs elsewhere.