With Soto Gone, Can the Yankees Afford to Lose Bellinger Too?
The Juan Soto fallout still stings in the Bronx. Watching him join the Mets left a gaping hole in the Yankees’ lineup and fanbase alike. Enter Cody Bellinger, a former MVP with a Gold Glove and the swagger to handle New York. He was supposed to be the answer. And so far, he’s been just that, slashing .263/.329/.438 with situational pop and strong defense.
But now, just a few months into his Yankees stint, Bellinger’s name is swirling in trade rumors. According to Bob Nightengale (USA Today), New York is “aggressively searching” for a right-handed bat and another starting pitcher, and Bellinger, along with revived closer Devin Williams, is reportedly on the table in a potential blockbuster with the Phillies.
What the Trade Could Look Like
On paper, the deal could be a smart pivot. The Yankees would receive:
- Alec Bohm, hitting .294 with clutch RBI production and under team control
- Taijuan Walker, a steady veteran starter
- Potential sweetener: top pitching prospect Mick Abel, a high-upside arm who fits Brian Cashman’s trade profile
Meanwhile, the Phillies get:
- Cody Bellinger, a postseason-tested, lefty power bat
- Devin Williams, who has posted a 0.97 ERA over his last 11 games, looking like his old Milwaukee self
It’s the type of high-stakes move you’d expect from two teams with October dreams.
Why Trading Bellinger Could Blow Up in the Yankees’ Face
Here’s the gamble: trading Bellinger strips the Yankees of their only Soto replacement. This isn’t a placeholder bat; this is a proven October performer with elite defense, lefty pop, and chemistry with Aaron Judge. Remove him now and suddenly the lineup’s fragile balance collapses.
Who protects Judge?
Who holds down center field in a tight postseason battle?
Internal options are thin, and the market is barren.
Plus, Bellinger is heating up, not just statistically but in the clubhouse. He’s becoming one of those glue guys every contending roster needs. Moving him midseason may patch one hole, but could easily rip open another.
The Yankees are facing a defining question:
Do you sacrifice stability for aggressive upgrades?
If they pull the trigger on this trade, the payoff could be huge, but the risk is just as big.
And in a season already hanging by a thread, the wrong move could turn October dreams into another cold Bronx winter.
Keep Bellinger or trade? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
