The grainy movies got here out each every so often for a younger Cody Bellinger, confirming that he certainly toddled onto the sector because the Yankees celebrated their 2000 World Collection victory over the Mets. He’s hoping to be a part of one other celebration like that quickly.
“I’ve small recollections of the youngsters’ playroom that I’d go to throughout the video games, I’ve small recollections of the home that we lived in upstate,” Bellinger mentioned on Friday. “My mother did a fantastic job with the camcorder, so we might watch replays of it rising up, and it helps me keep in mind what we have been doing on the market after I was 5 or 6.”
Clay Bellinger was a utilityman on the Yankees golf equipment of the late Nineties, successful two championship rings. The Bombers are relying on his son to play an much more distinguished position, buying the 29-year-old from the Cubs earlier this week together with money issues in trade for right-hander Cody Poteet.
Bellinger mentioned that he was on a flight to Atlanta when the commerce was consummated on Wednesday, although it got here as little shock. In accordance with Yankees common supervisor Brian Cashman, Bellinger had been pushing behind the scenes for a chance to put on the pinstripes.
“He’s somebody that wishes to be right here,” Cashman mentioned. “I have been listening to it for a very long time, together with his agent, Scott Boras, saying, ‘Are you able to get him over right here? He is driving me loopy. He needs to be a Yankee.’ That’s not why I did it; in the end, I did it as a result of it’s a match.”
Requested why taking part in for the Yankees was so interesting, Bellinger mentioned: “On your life, a baseball profession is brief. I’ve a chance right here to play for top-of-the-line franchises in all of sports activities. I knew there was curiosity, and I wished to reap the benefits of the chance. I’m simply glad that it was all capable of work out.”
Bellinger’s versatility might reply a few of the Yankees’ questions as they proceed to pivot from their pursuit of Juan Soto. With Aaron Decide anticipated to maneuver again to proper discipline, Bellinger might take over because the beginning middle fielder, although Cashman mentioned that he want to see the membership’s high prospect, Jasson Domínguez, win a beginning job this coming spring.
If that occurs, Domínguez may deal with duties in middle discipline, with Bellinger taking part in left discipline – usually thought-about a more difficult defensive place for the Yankees, given Yankee Stadium’s dimensions. Ought to the Yanks discover solutions in each outfield spots, Bellinger can also be a succesful defender at first base.
“I informed [manager Aaron Boone] that wherever you want me to play, I’ll play,” Bellinger mentioned. “Whether or not it’s left, middle, or if Decide will get a DH day, I’ll play proper. In the event you want me at first, I’ll play first. I get pleasure from doing that stuff. I believe it helps the groups that I’m on win.
“I realized rather a lot from Kiké Hernández; he’s in all probability top-of-the-line gamers I’ve seen at having the ability to roam throughout the sector and simply be above-average or glorious in all of the positions he performs. I received to see the way it’s doable, and I knew that I had the power to do it.”
Final season with the Cubs, Bellinger batted .266/.325/.426 (111 OPS+) with 72 runs, 23 doubles, 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 130 video games, a dip from the robust bounce-back numbers he posted in ’23. The Cubs have been curious about liberating many of the $52.5 million attributable to Bellinger over the subsequent two seasons; Chicago chipped in $5 million in wage aid to finish the deal.
Bellinger was the 2019 Nationwide League MVP with the Dodgers, when he batted .305/.406/.629 with 47 homers and 115 RBIs. He mentioned reclaiming that degree of efficiency stays a driving pressure.
“I do assume that it’s within the tank,” Bellinger mentioned. “You by no means know the longer term. I attempt to not set future numbers. I simply wish to exit and play the perfect baseball I can play: protection, working the bases and simply serving to the workforce win.”
Since Bellinger profiles as a left-handed pull hitter who likes to drive the ball within the air, the Yankees imagine that Bellinger’s offensive numbers will enhance with 81 video games at Yankee Stadium (plus, as Cashman identified on Wednesday, six extra towards the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Subject, which has an identical dimensions).
“Every little thing about it excites me – the group, the followers, the stadium, the environment,” Bellinger mentioned. “I even have solely performed [at Yankee Stadium] as soon as, and that was in 2023. It was a extremely cool second. I’ve heard nothing however superb issues about every part, the group and the clubhouse. I’m simply excited to be part of it. I’m excited to get to work.”
