Yankees Reportedly Will Compete With NL Central Contender For Superstar Outfielder

Should New York look into acquiring the former MVP? It will have some competition

The New York Yankees have been mentioned numerous times as the top landing spot for the best offensive free agent, but they will have competition.

New York needs to add at least one outfielder this offseason and the top option available in free agency without a doubt is Chicago Cubs star Cody Bellinger. He had a few down years due to injury but was healthy in 2023 and returned to star form. The Yankees were linked to him as a possible trade candidate and now as a free agent target but reportedly will have to compete with the Cubs to land him, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. 

"Cody Bellinger should be at the center of a big-market battle between the incumbent Cubs (who he liked very much) and the Yankees, who need at least one outfielder and maybe two," Heyman said.

Bellinger would be a home run of a signing for the Yankees. He would provide solid defense in the outfield while also adding another top bat to the middle of the lineup. The Yankees had one of the worst offenses in baseball last season. Adding someone like Bellinger immediately would raise the club's floor and boost their anemic offense. 

He likely will land the largest contract out of position players this offseason so he won't come cheap for the Yankees. He is just 28 years old and clubbed 26 home runs in 2023 to go along with 97 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, and a .307/.356/.525 slash line. 

If New York wants to land Bellinger this offseason, it sounds like it will have to outbid the Cubs to get his services this winter.