Yankees Eye 3x SoCal Batting Champ Amid $80M Star’s Potential Return to California

After some mediocre trade deadline results, the next big and exciting transactional window ahead of us is free agency. And well, amidst all the free agency chatter and contract speculations, Yankees’ $80 million star Cody Bellinger has been the hot topic. By now, it seems likely that Bellinger will part ways with the Bronx. While the Astros were long thought to be the frontrunners for his services, the latest revelations insist that it’s very likely for Bellinger to head back to California, where it all began.

From 2017 to 2022, Bellinger made his mark with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, as predicted by Bleacher Report, he could play for another California rival, the San Francisco Giants, after this season. That’ll mean Bellinger plans to walk away from a $25 million guarantee on his current deal in pursuit of a long-term contract.

It makes sense that his resurgence with the Yankees would make teams like the Giants line up to bid for his services. Yankees fans certainly don’t want to hear this. However, on a slightly better note, as per Bleacher Report, the Yankees could soon land Luis Arráez, the standout first and second baseman of the San Diego Padres.

The 28 year old has clinched three consecutive batting titles. He’s predicted to sign a six-year, $90 million-ish deal with the Yankees. However, his style of play has certain limitations. He doesn’t draw many walks, hit home runs, steal bases, or play exceptional defense.

That’s why a $20 million average annual contract is a tough sell. If Arraez wants a deal nearing the $100 million mark, it probably needs to be at least a seven-year deal.

Coming to Bellinger, he’ll probably set his sights upon another 3-year, $80 million deal or something even better. For the Yankees, it’d be painful to bid goodbye to Belli. They will look to balance the impending loss of Bellinger with a proven hitter in Arráez.

What the Yankees Are About to Lose if Cody Bellinger Departs in Free Agency

This season has been a big testament that Bellinger still has a lot to offer. Across 123 games, he has hit 26 home runs and carried a .283 batting average with a .847 OPS. His consistent hitting has helped the Yankees stay afloat while other big phenoms struggled mightily.

Bellinger, instead of taking the $25 million guarantee in his current deal, is planning to test free agency. Well, the Yankees still have control over the option to keep him. The ownership has shown its financial muscle before when they signed him after Juan Soto. They could re-sign him if they are willing to.

Allowing him to leave would be a painful sting far more than the typical free agency losses. Aaron Judge has often been used as a designated hitter because of his elbow. And because of the same, Bellinger’s defense in the field has become way more important for the club.

If the New York Yankees lose him, it could leave a gap that the front office may find hard to fill, even with the predicted acquisition of Luis Arraez. Will they pay up to keep Cody Bellinger, or risk watching him suit up for the Giants or any other rival?