MLB trade rumors have connected the New York Yankees to the entire right side of the Chicago Cubs infield — first baseman Cody Bellinger and second baseman Nico Hoerner.
Here’s why New York should turn these rumors into reality.
Bellinger has had an up-and-down career. He burst into the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a 39-homer Rookie of the Year and won NL MVP two years later. After that, he completely lost his mojo.
He’s rebuilt himself as a good hitter with a bit of pop in the last two years with the Cubs. But a move to New York could be just what he needs to reclaim his former glory.
Bellinger could rediscover his power stroke in the Bronx. The 29-year-old blasted 111 home runs in his first three MLB seasons. He’s hit just 63 long balls in the last three full seasons.
With the help of the Yankee Stadium short porch in right field, the lefty bat could return to 30+ homer potential. Plus, he’ll be motivated to do so, as he’ll be playing for a possible pay raise.
Bellinger can opt out of the final year of his contract at the end of the 2025 season. If he has a decent year, there’s no reason he won’t seek longer-term financial security.
Moreover, Bellinger’s dad, Clay, played all but two of his 183 career MLB games for the Yankees. The storylines will write themselves.
And if Bellinger comes with Hoerner in a package, the deal is even better for the Yankees. The 27-year-old is exactly what the Bombers need in their lineup.
Hoerner is a career .278/.338/.381 hitter who’s stolen 94 bases in the past three seasons. He puts the ball in play, too, only striking out 66 times in 641 plate appearances in 2024.
All that data adds up to Hoerner being a perfect table-setter for the Yankees’ bigger bats. Also, he won a Gold Glove in 2023 — something previous Bomber second baseman Gleyber Torres doesn’t seem capable of doing.