The Yankees are bracing up for the season of major adjustments, and the highlight of all is life without Juan Soto. Losing a remarkable hitter like him doesn’t just bring change in the lineup; it’s more of a seismic shift. The top-tier slugger was a game-changer in the Bronx. Replacing his bat in the lineup is a dilemma Brian Cashman had to solve fast. The Yankees wanted someone who could take advantage of hitter-friendly dimensions at Yankee Stadium.

Enter their $80 million answer—Cody Bellinger. He is well aware of what the short porch can do for a left-handed hitter. Belling got a teaser of it when he visited Yankee Stadium with the Cubs in 2023. He thought to himself in batting practice, “Man, that’s really close.”  Well, sure, launching balls over that 314-foot marker almost felt seamless.

Filling in Soto’s shoes wasn’t just about hitting home runs. The Yankees offseason haul, inclusive of Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, ace Max Fried, and closer Devin Williams, was all about refining a more well-rounded team. All the expectations at the moment are on Bellinger. Can he get back in the form that made him a 47-homer MVP in 2019? His encouraging stats say that he might.

The way he’s able to lift pulled fly balls, ranking in the 87th and 89th percentiles the last two years, plays effortlessly in Yankee Stadium. Tino Martinez, another Yankee legend, says, “Cody’s got that good, beautiful, smooth swing.” His words reflect that he sees potential in Bellinger. Martinez also added, “I could see him hitting 40 this year.”

It’s fair to mention that Bellinger is thrilled to be in the Bronx. On his part, he is embracing the challenge. If he and the short porch hit it off, the Yankees roster won’t miss a beat.

Unbelievable Yankees-Red Sox trade talks revived after latest update

It’s unimaginable to think if the Yankees could really pull off a trade with their biggest rival. It might sound impossible, but if the latest update is anything to go by, it’s not as far-fetched as it seems. The Yankees have serious trouble at third base. DJ LeMahieu’s injury has left a gaping hole. A split squad of Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza isn’t a perfect situation for a team that has a goal to defend their American League pennant.

The Yankees have been linked to multiple trade targets, such as Nolan Arenado. But with the season right around the corner, nothing has materialized. Interestingly, Rafael Devers, the Red Sox star, was reportedly not satisfied with the Red Sox’s decision to get Alex Bregman. There are ongoing rumors that he might want an out. Devers later withdrew from the idea of a trade request. Apparently, things between Devers and the Red Sox might not be as smooth as they seem. Well, making a deal with the biggest rival is a whole different challenge.

The Red Sox aren’t mandated to trade Devers where he wants; he doesn’t have a no-trade rule, which means that the team could ship him off to the top bidder without any more thoughts.

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Do the Yankees have enough assets to persuade their biggest rivals to part ways with a franchise star? Picture it, lifelong Yankees killer—Devers, suddenly sporting Yankees colors. The Bronx would blow up. If that happens, the Yankees owe it to themselves and their fans too.