In this reverse-Hunger Games analysis, the Mets would sign starter Tatsuia Imai, and the Redsocks would grab 3B Munetaka Murakami - two Japanese stars, the human equivalents of those $30 Amazon mystery pallets, which might contain iPads, but probably have electronic doo-hickeys that analyze your dog's stool. As for the Yankees? They would grab Alex Bregman Kyle Tucker Bo Bichette - um - Cody Bellinger.
Yep. The Belli of the Beast. Last year's lineup, but with another season of well-ground grist.
Yank fans adore Bellinger. Last year, with two strikes, he choked up and situationally hit his way into our hearts. He patrolled LF with aplomb. He hit 29 HRs, 98 HRs, a .272 BA - a poor man's Triple Crown. He's only 30. He's seen it all - from MVP to DFA. He's worth a three-year-deal, maybe five. He won't embarrass us. We could do worse.
But but BUT... Every Yank fan knows the underside. He's a fundamentalist, with a disturbing likeliness to DJ LeMahieu. Moreover, Bellinger's return would leave no air in the room for the most hyped Yankee prospects of the 2020s: Jasson Dominguez, 22, and Spencer Jones, 24. If Belli stays, there is nothing for The Martian or The Judge Clone - aside from what Cooperstown Cashman gets in some massive trade - the most defining deal since Jesus Montero left for Michael Pineda.
At the mere thought of Cashman orchestrating a huge deal, I believe I speak for the Yankiverse in saying: GAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Okay, I know what you're thinking: Jeez, man, at least let's see what Cashman gets in a trade. You can't condemn something without seeing it.
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Listen: Everybody likes Belli. But wouldn't it be nice if something in 2026 actually changes? Last year's lineup, one year older? I say, Quiet, Piggy! The Yankees need to, a) Spend a jazillion dollars, b) Beat Stevie Cohen in a bidding war, and c) give a chance to their big-ass prospects. For 16 years now, they've tried to trade their way to a championship. It's time for Hal to go out on a massive, dangerous limb. Cody Bellinger is just too safe.
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3 comments:
Don’t worry the Yankees will offer Bellinger 4 yrs and come in second to whomever offers 5.
You know, you have a point there. (Baggy pantsed follow up: but if you comb your hair right, no one will notice.)
I think, though, we need Bellinger. He works. The Cashman gaffe of making that qualifying offer to Grisham does create a real conundrum where the youngsters are concerned. On the other hand, Judge is 34. Once Stanton gets injured, he'll get a good share of DH ABs this year. Bellinger can play right, which not every outfielder can do. (Jasson, a CF by trade, has had problems in left. He may have had problems in center, but moving him to left probably exacerbated his issues.)
It's a tough call. I think you need to throw into the mix the idea that Grisham will not repeat 2025 and at some point will need to get familiar with the bench, as in 2024.
Plenty of moving parts. Our real problems continue to be short, third and catcher. What's happening about them? Oh, right. Nothing.
We need Bellinger. I think the LeMahieu comparison is overheated. What makes the Grisham signing even worse is that he will become an extreme example of one of the most cherished axioms of Yankee management, that being “If we’re paying him, we’re playing him”.
I’m sorry, I just can’t believe in either Dominguez or Jones. I will gladly eat crow if either of them develops into a comparable player to Bellinger.
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