ORLANDO, Fla. – If the Yankees were to secure Cody Bellinger, then seek to improve on the margins, this might be a largely drama-free winter.
But we’ve only just begun.
On the eve of MLB’s Winter Meetings, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he spoke Saturday to agent Scott Boras “about his list of clients,’’ including a certain versatile, lefty-hitting outfielder.
Bellinger was “an impact player for us last year and we’d love to have him back if it could fit for us,’’ Cashman said Sunday, as the meetings unofficially began.
Yankees’ open-minded to other outfield scenarios
Overall, “I don’t think there’s as deep of a need of a lot of things as there were last year,’’ said Cashman, whose series of countermoves following the free agent loss of Juan Soto included a trade for Bellinger.
“But there’s things obviously we’re trying to do,’’ including the pursuit of Bellinger in free agency.
“Cody Bellinger would be a great fit for us. A great fit for anybody,’’ said Cashman. “I think our environment was a great one for him.’’
Naturally, the Yankees will say they’ve got some outfield leverage with center fielder Trent Grisham returning, Jasson Dominguez leading the left field depth chart, repeat AL MVP Aaron Judge in right and slugging Spencer Jones in the wings.
Grisham’s presence “gives us some comfort, because I have a lane I can go with if the markets dictate that,’’ said Cashman.
“But if I can find matches, too, that make enough sense whether it’s free agents or challenge trade that pull me in a different direction, then we’re open-minded to that as well.’’
One obvious free agent outfield pivot is lefty-hitting Kyle Tucker, who could net twice as much as Bellinger in this market.
A potential “challenge trade’’ pivot could lead to the Twins’ Byron Buxton, though his availability – at least this winter – is questionable.
Where the Yankees’ payroll situations could factor in
Bellinger’s camp will point to his made-for-the-Bronx persona and swing, his high contact rate and 1.016 OPS against lefty pitching as evidence he’s essential to the Yankees’ winter strategy.
Throw in the potential interest of deep-pocketed contenders, including the Mets, and Bellinger’s asking price might be closer to $200 million than $150 million, and at what price point would the Yankees balk?
Though Hal Steinbrenner feels a $300 million payroll, under the final luxury tax threshold, would be “ideal,’’ the Yankees owner has not given a drop-dead figure to his GM.
“Hal’s exact words to me continue to be, ‘Take everything that’s out there to me,’ which Cashman has pledged.
Still,