The New York Yankees may have lost out on outfielder Juan Soto, but made some bold moves to redefine their approach on both offense and defense. The new addition, Cody Bellinger, a former National League MVP, two-time All-Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove Award recipient, arrives with a wealth of experience and a history of explosive performance. Bellinger’s trade from the Chicago Cubs was the first major piece in the Yankees’ post-Soto pivot. Coming off a season where he posted a .266/.325/.426 line with 23 doubles, 18 homers, and 78 RBI, his numbers may not tell the full story.

“For me and Paul [Goldschmidt], it’s not necessairly replacing anybody, but coming in and performing to our best abilities,” Bellinger, said, emphasizing his readiness to step into a role that not only bolsters the Yankees’ offense but also enhances their defensive versatility. The plan is for Bellinger to take over in center field, allowing Aaron Judge to return to right field after playing most of the 2024 season in center to accomodate Soto.

Cody Bellinger’s Fit with the Yankees—Is He the Missing Piece?

According to Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch, Yankees manager Aaron Boone sees Bellinger’s arrival as a turning point. “This is a guy in the prime of his career. He’s been through a lot already, made some nice adjustments, and his upside offensively is huge,” Boone commented. “He’s made some nice adjustments. An outstanding two-way player, brings a ton of defensive value, defensive versatility, really good baserunner. I think the upside offensively, I expect him to be really good. The ceiling is really high, too. I think our ballpark is going to be something that plays well for him.”

Beyond his bat, Bellinger brings defensive prowess that the Yankees have been seeking. His ability to play multiple outfield positions with solid range and decision-making adds a layer of stability that is essential for any team with postseason aspirations. Analysts suggest that a change of scenery could help him rediscover the form that led to his breakout 2019 season, when he hit a career-high 47 homer runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Addressing Offensive Concerns

The Yankees enter this season following a dominant offensive campaign in which they scored an American League best 815 runs, thanks to Judge’s second AL MVP season (223 OPS+) and Soto’s standout performance (178 OPS+). That total was 142 runs more than their 2023 mark and the most they had scored in a season since 2019 (943). However, maintaining—or improving upon—that output will be a tall order, especially with key lineup changes.

Seceral players struggled at the plate in 2024, including first baseman Anthony Rizzo (81 OPS+), shortstop Anthony Volpe (86 OPS+), third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera (87 OPS+) and left fielder Alex Verdugo (83 OPS+). All of them posted below-average production in over 300 plate appearances. With Rizzo and Verdugo now free agents, the Yankees are relying on their latest acquisitions—including Bellinger—to help maintain their offensive edge. While Bellinger’s 111 OPS+ in 2024 was the third lowest of his career, it was still higher than the production from several of the struggling players.

On the Defensive Side

Bellinger showed his versatility in 2024, playing 94 games in the outfield with a .990 fielding percentage, 0 Rdrs and two erros. He also played 22 games at first base, posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 0 Rdrs and 0 errors. Verdugo, a Gold Glove finalist, played 149 games in the outfield with a .997 fielding percentage, 7 Rdrs and one error. Rizzo, a four-time Gold Glove winner, played 92 games at first base with a .996 fielding percentage, three errors and 2 Rdrs.

The Yankees will likel be hoping that Bellinger can stabilize the lineup. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively—especially as a reliable option at both first base and in the outfield—will be crucial. New York will look to maintain their offensive dominance with Judge anchoring the offense. The Yankees success in 2025 will largely depend on whether the other players bounce back and Bellinger’s impact. He may very well be the key player to watch in the Yankees’ pursuit of another World Series run.