The Yankees have been linked to such free-agent first baseman as Christian Walker and Pete Alonso this winter, and talks seemingly remain ongoing in some form with the Cubs about Cody Bellinger’s availability. Recent reports suggest that the Yankees and Cubs are upwards of $10MM apart in deciding how much of Bellinger’s salary will be covered by Chicago, and the New York Post’s Jon Heyman writes today that not much has changed in the stalemate between the two clubs. As Heyman puts it, “it’s a matter of ’who blinks first,’ if ever.”
If none of these targets end up being a fit, the Yankees are “also considering” several other backup plans. According to Heyman, these options include signing free agent Carlos Santana, or exploring a trade for the Guardians’ Josh Naylor or the Rangers’ Nathaniel Lowe. Given how Yankees GM Brian Cashman usually casts a wide berth in checking in on numerous players every offseason, it’s probably safe to guess that more than just these aforementioned first basemen have drawn some level of interest from New York.
Signing Santana would be the most straight-forward and cost-effective move of the bunch, as Santana will almost surely require just a one-year guarantee because he is entering his age-39 season. Despite his age, Santana rebounded from a few middling seasons to post a .238/.328/.420 slash line and 23 home runs for the Twins over 594 plate appearances in 2024, while also winning the AL Gold Glove at first base. The combination of offense and defense translated to 3.0 fWAR for Santana, the third-highest of his 15 Major League seasons.
This production will merit Santana a raise on the $5.25MM he received in his one-year deal with Minnesota last winter, but concerns over his age and possible regression will probably limit his salary. Signing Santana would also be a relatively low-upside play, whereas trading for Naylor or Lowe represents a higher ceiling for production.
Trading for Lowe would also mean more than just a one-year commitment, as the first baseman is arbitration-controlled through the 2026 season. Projected for a $10.7MM salary this year, Lowe is coming off another solid season that saw him hit .265/.361/.401 with 16 homers over 565 PA, and Lowe also delivered quality defense as a Gold Glove finalist behind Santana.
There was a little buzz about Lowe’s possible availability heading into the trade deadline last summer, but nothing in the way of concrete reports that Texas was seriously considering moving the 29-year-old. In re-signing Nathan Eovaldi and trading for Jake Burger, the Rangers are certainly aiming to return to contention in 2025, but moving Lowe to address another need on the active roster is a plausible tactic. Since the Rangers are known to be looking for left-handed hitting, however, however, dealing such a lefty swinger in Lowe would only serve to tilt the lineup further to the right.
Trading Naylor would also be an imperfect move for a Guardians team that needs offensive help, but Cleveland has typically looked maximize its return on notable players by trading them before they reach free agency. Naylor is therefore a more clear-cut trade candidate than Lowe, and Naylor’s projected $12MM arbitration salary won’t break the bank. While Lowe or the switch-hitting Santana would also be good fits hitting at Yankee Stadium, the short porch in right field seems taylor-made for Naylor’s left-handed power bat, and it is easy to imagine Naylor topping his career-best total of 31 homers (set in 2024) over a full season in the Bronx.
Kyle Manzardo and Jhonkensy Noel are the likeliest candidates to step in at first base for the Guardians if Naylor is traded, though that is putting extra pressure on a pair of inexperienced players, plus the Guards would also need some extra first base/DH depth in that scenario. Cleveland is also in need of outfield help, though the Yankees might not be a fit in that sense since they’re looking for outfielders themselves in the wake of Juan Soto’s departure.
Clu Haywood is available.
highly overrated
My goodness. Golly gosh.
How about Yankees trade Edgleen Perez and Cade Smith to the Cubs, in return for Belli and $7.5 million?
Paul Goldschmidt is still a fantastic top of the market defensive first baseman!!! In addition to being a seasoned clubhouse leader.
He’s going to hit 20-30 homer’s in Yankee stadium.
Goldy had a good second half of the season offensively for the Cardinals.
(His only Achilles heal is the low and outside curve ball. The Yankees hitting coach may well be able to solve that, where the Cardinals coaches didn’t have a clue).
Plus —- the Yankees can pick up Goldy on a string of one year contracts for peanuts as compared to the other available first baseman for 2025.
Thus allowing the Yankees to be stable at first base and having Millions of dollars left over to invest in another Quality Hitter in the outfield, or Second or third, where ever Chaz doesn’t play. (Bellinger?) (Arenado?)
CUBS: do NOT blink. Bellinger is a perfect fit in Yankee stadium offensively and a perfect fit defensively for their roster. I’d rather keep Belli on our team than cave into Cashman.
it’s counterintuitive but now that the cubs have tucker i think they are less likely to trade bellinger. they’re set to seriously compete and if they’re throwing shaw into the fire having another high-floor player like bellinger makes sense
Where does one play Bellinger? CF covered by PCA, RF is Tucker, LF is Happe snd 1B is Busch. So Bellinger is a $25mil bench player?
You can sacrifice a little defense at 3rd and play Busch there. Bellinger goes to 1B. You can mix and match ABs at 2B and 3B for Busch if Hoerner isn’t ready in time. Plenty of ways to rotate guys in and out based on matchups.
Cub lineup looks a lot tougher with Belli and Tucker.
Of course not. You move Busch to 3rd, insert Shaw @ 2nd & Belli @ 1st. Trade Nico to the M’s for Castillo. Shaw is a much better fit @ 2B due to his fringy arm strength. There you go, happy to help.
@coop
Busch can’t play 3rd. He’s a butcher there.
Bellinger plays CF and PCA is fourth outfielder. Bellinger can hit and PCA doesn’t. Bellinger can still play solid defense.
My 2 cents. There’s ways the Cubs can make things work by keeping Belli. Finances not being considered. So that can be a challenge for Jed. Nico may not be ready to start the season. So the Cubs can mix and match 2nd Base and other areas around the field. Who knows if Shaw can handle the majors? Will Busch move forward?
Will PCA continue to improve? Nico can have a set back in his recovery. There’s also injuries that happen. Even if all goes extraordinarily well. These issues are a good issue to have and can work themselves out.
That part of the reason for Spring Training.
Suuuuuuure. If pretending Bellinger is more valuable than Crow-Armstromg convinces the Yankees to trade for Bellinger, I’m all for this wild claim.
He’s played 99 1 career innings, and all of them were in 2023 except for .1 with Chicago last season. That’s over parts of 23 games. That’s not much to go on to make a determination. Then move Hoerner to third. I don’t like that fit because he doesn’t have power, but he played a very good short for the Cubs the year before they signed Swanson, so he has enough arm. Again, these are not perfect fits, I’ll agree. But I saw noticeable improvement from Busch as a 1B as the year went on last season, so maybe he could do the same at third. Hell, we had Morel there, and I can’t imagine Busch being any worse.
If the cubs want to resign tucker which they should they need to move bellinger in the event he has a bad year and decides to stick around
Voice of Reason – But not in CF
You make a solid point.
MP Hunt;
You don’t understand……
There experts on here know that Cubs players in the OF and at 1B will never get injured in 2025. All will play 162 games. And of course the Cubs don’t have a DH.
Consequently it stands to reason that they have to get rid of Bellinger, cause like…you know. Really.
At this point of the offseason the Cubs are my choice for the yearly ‘Winner of the Offseason’ award that flops in the real season. But it’s not over till it’s over.
Nl has DH now he is DH or when he plays first bush is . Suzuki gets traded
rotate dh. it’s a good problem to have
that’s a good point hadn’t considered that
SEA would want at least 2 other good players for Castillo
Perhaps PCA will still mainly be used as fourth OFer/D replacement/pitch runner/Sunday starter and perhaps Bellinger is already penciled in as the starting CFer…. Oorr I could be wrong but didn’t Busch used to play some 3rd, perhaps he’s been working on that and all these guys will be mish-(as a Crew fan hopefully not)..“mashing” around as so often injuries and a 162game schedule as well as a manager like counsel will dictate.
Incorrect. He is definitely being traded
For what exactly?
Cashman wants Bellinger for no return plus he wants over $10mm in cash toward Belli’s salary. He can pound sand.
That’s what he’s worth. His MVP years were long, long ago. His peripherals are terrible (one of the lowest average exit velos in the league) and he is owed $52m over the next two years. He’s got substantial negative value.
Lowest exit velocity? Who cares how hard you make your outs. Arraez has even lower and he wins batting titles.
It’s more that it has been shown to be somewhat predictive of future performance.
Who cares? People running baseball teams. If fans like you knew more than people running baseball teams I can assure you billionaire owners would be calling you people. They aren’t and never will
It works out for the Cubs either way, their best lineup is with Tucker and Bellinger, could be big-time, exciting anyways. Caissie gonna whiff a lot gonna be a problem.
But if the Cubs traded Bellinger, they certainly add a piece to the rotation, or a couple prospects and save close to 30M so they can’t lose in that regard.
But the lineup looks very tantalizing with both Tucker and Bellinger starting in the OF. Can mix it up with Bellinger at 1st, and get PCA and Caissie some at bats. Don’t have to rely on either. Cubs are in a good spot in ’25. Can always add a starter at the deadline.
Why? Just wait for an overpay from them
Perfect fit or not, it is hard to see where the Cubs have a lot of leverage with the Yankees. There are plenty of good 1B options available. Bellinger ultimately has a contract that is underwater, with a lot of question marks around health and productivity. With the addition of Tucker, there is even a bigger need for the Cubs trade someone.
Bellinger has averaged 3 WAR worth 24 million max with a .2.3 WAR last year. The Cubs need to pay at least 5 million total to the Yanks everything being equal!
That’s deeply deceptive, as it’s entirely based on a miraculous 2023 when he didn’t hit the ball hard at all but somehow managed to hit basically every barreled ball out of the yard. Pure luck. He’s about a 2 win player and declining. On the open market in a two year commitment he’d be worth about $30-35m total. Bigly underwater, and then there’s all the 1B talent available on the market this year to consider, too.
Tyler Oneill just got 3 for 50. I am pretty sure bellinger would beat that price. You have to be a cardinals fan.
The Natural — But they will (and should). Bellinger is—as you say—tailor made for Yankee Stadium but the Cubs should lose Bellinger and his contract if they can. I’ll bet it gets done.
However, if another team picks up LaMonte Wade Jr. that might free up the Guardians, Rangers or another club to trade their first baseman to the Yanks. Wade (who is an excellent defensive player with great OBP) might also be an option for the Yanks (his HR totals would go up in the Bronx).
Solid analysis Pete!
I hope the Yankees only get cody if they don’t have to pay so much of his salary.
But that’s the whole point of the Cubs wanting to move Belli. Everyone talks about not having room for Cody. It’s not that at all. The cheapskate owner doesn’t want to pay the tax again. Hoyer stupidly just barely crossed the line last year despite not making the postseason.
Not owner should want to pay the tax, fans shouldn’t want the owner to pay the tax you dolt. Once the owner pays the tax your competitive window starts to close. It’s really mind boggling just how out to lunch fans are to how teams are built and have sustainable success. They think like I did a 12 dumb fan wondering why they traded their best player for young players I’ve never heard of
“You dolt,” When people start the personal attacks it’s a sure-fire demonstration that they lack a salient point.
I’ve forgotten more about baseball than you ever knew. But let’s not let facts get in the way. When a team like the Cubs basically print money there is no reason for them to act like a small market team. If you only have Tucker for one year you gotta go for it. You’re the dolt! And the reason you’ve never heard if young players is cuz you’re not well read on this sport. Next!
bregman and now naylor? might as well sign curt schilling so i can properly hate my own team
Underrated comment
How can you hate Bregman? Because he’s an Astro? Come on, the guy’s a great player.
Because he isn’t a nice guy that starts wars with other countries!
see below wasn’t taking about politics was just listing another player i disliked forgot he’s a hot button name-check
Check out Bregman’s BB totals the last few seasons. Where is he heading?
he’s an elite player when he knows what pitch is coming. he’s a very good player when he doesn’t
Grow up, Dasit. Even the people with your worldview are full of scumbags. If we’re going to eliminate every jerk from the major leagues, or guys who might vote the way you do, we might be able to field a third of the teams rosters.
i actually wasn’t talking about his politics! just couldn’t think of another player i hated more from the prime rivalry days
Fair enough.
no worries i make a point of avoiding politics like the plague
it’s funny as much as i hated pedro and big papi i’ve grown to like them as broadcasters. the only guys from the 2003-2004 years that i can’t change my mind about are schilling and varitek
Pedro Martinez was an absolute animal to watch on the mound. One of my all-time favorites from a pure pitching standpoint.
Rumor has it Jon Singleton is available
My thoughts exactly.
Also Ty France would look good at first base for the Yanks! Buy low bargain!
Dom Smith. Cmon!
I’m not sure who the Yankees could even trade for two years of Lowe. Multiple relievers or a Starter maybe. Lowe has an identical OPS plus with Christian Walker over the last 3 seasons and is 4 years younger than Walker.
no ads for paid members troll
Johnny how many restraining orders do you think this imbecile has against him? I’ll set the number at 4.5
Why don’t they have a 1b in house prospect? Oh, I forgot! Their prospects are always highly overrated
@tiki This position is pretty weak in the game as a whole right now, not surprised that they don’t have a starting-caliber 1B prospect. I don’t really think any teams do. Maybe Coby Mayo if they wanna put him there? Heard some hype about a Giants prospect Eldridge
@Tiki
They do. His name is Ben Rice. He had about 350 AB between AA and AAA. He hit 24 homers and had a walk rate around 15%. He was called up and had about 140 AB in the majors. He hit 7 homers, including 3 in one game. His walk rate was around 11%. However, he hit for a low average, struck out about 25% of the time, and is new to 1b. He was originally a C.
The position is used as a last retort or given to an injured player ala Harper, Bryce or soon to be judge, aaron would he eventually needs a less demanding position.
Cubs take back DJ LeMahieu to balance out the money, Yankees add a low level prospect/lottery ticket player as a sweetener. Seems pretty simple.
Lemahieu has a nasty contract the Yankees probably need to pay 15 or 20 million of it to make the deal work.
SCJohn : the Cubs do not have to trade away salary, Bellinger still has talent, so just adding a low level prospect with DJLM is not a reality.
And ANY team would be foolish or desperate to take on DJ LeMahieu’s contract. It is an albatross, and Yankees would have to either suck it all up to get anything of worth in return, or add a high level prospect the other way to get some team to take that anchor on. It’s not Robbie Cano money, but it’s a lot of chump change for a chump. And at least the Mets got Edwin Diaz with Robbie Cano. See my point?
Yes they do imissjoe. Ricketts doesn’t want to pay the luxury tax again after Hoyer barely crossed the first line last season
Has it been confirmed they were over the luxury tax?
Led, Not yet.
Nope, but even Hoyer has said he believes they did.
Yankees are no doubt going to release DJ once they fill out the remainder of their roster. There is zero chance they risk carrying a 4 man bench that includes DJ given he is horrible and washed up 2 years ago!
Can’t be Yankee fans all wanted dj resigned and they said give him a blank cheque. As Micheal Kay says how’s that working out?
No, because the whole point of the Cubs wanting to move Belli is to offload as much of his salary as possible. Hoyer is trying to save his job by walking a tightrope of trying to stay under the tax line while tiptoeing into the tournament.
Just get the Bellinger deal done already. What’s $10 million amongst friends?
Exactly. This is what really irritates me sometimes about Cashman. The Yanks need Bellinger much more than they need to win the $10MM staring contest. Penny wise and dollar stupid.
Word Clip! I hope this gets resolved quickly. We do have other needs to address, and there aren’t many left-handed bats available.
That is exactly right, Clip. As usual, you are spot on my friend.
You can complain now and complain if he under performs like DJ even worse plays like Donaldson.. Player need to perform to make a deal work, most times with the Yanks they under perform. That’s on the player not the GM.
They don’t need Bellinger in the slightest. There are like 6 better, or as good, 1B available.
Bellinger is 29 and has a lot of upside, he also plays CF a position the Yanks need..
@seam: Could you list them? Thanks.
Good point, Clip. $10M isn’t much to the Yankees if they’ve determined Bellinger is the best fit for their roster.
But as a Cubs fan, now that it’s been a couple days w no trade, I’m warming to the idea of keeping Belli around. His bat isn’t amazing but certainly lengthens the lineup. PCA could regress, injuries happen, Busch has moved around a lot- they could find ABs for everyone if they need to.
Clip, why would Cash spend the extra $10M? He is a genius and has this all figured out. DJ 2B, Cabrera 3B, Rice 1B, Jazzy CF, Martian LF. 😉
@ YankeeClipper – Cubs looking for another pitcher. Why don’t they take Stroman for Bellinger? 55M vs 36M. That’s 19M saved over two years and Stroman isn’t a zero like LeMahieu.
Fernando, that was my initial thought to because contractually it seems to make sense. But more than a few Cubs fans here made it known that Stroman isn’t really welcome in Chicago.
And, now that Tucker is off the table, they know they hold more leverage on Cashman as well. Imho, Bellinger is better than any of the remaining OF FAs, and the Cubs’ FO realizes this so they’re holding firm.
@YankeeClipper – But they wanted to cut salary by moving Bellinger or Suzuki. They turned around and added salary in Tucker.
You could look at it now that they have to move one of those guys to cut salary and/or make space.
Happ, PCA, Tucker, Suzuki and Bellinger for 3 OF spots and Tucker/Busch for one 1b spot. They need to move someone to not sit a starter worthy player.
All valid points, Fernando.
The jays should be interested in bellinger. In any event the cubs are going to eat money on that bellinger deal. These gms are too savy to give in and pay full price for an asset they believe is depreciating. I’d argue the jays need bellinger more than the Yankees need him.
cashman should hold out as long as he can because that extra money could be used to sign bregman or santander and that’s… uh…
never mind pay the 10M
Exactly, Hoyer has pissed away more than that on marginal/bad signings resulting in $10-$30 mil in dead money (depending on the year)
Yet he doesn’t make the postseason.
Yet the Yankees went and signed Stroman. What a strange sport.
“Trading Naylor would also be an imperfect move for a Guardians team that needs offensive help, but Cleveland has typically looked maximize its return on notable players by trading them before they reach free agency.”
The time tested get table scraps from big market teams before they just take your guy next year anyway move.
Trash league.
Best league. Imagine a league where everyone finishes 81-81. And all the star players are on Kc, Pittsburgh, Tampa. And a different team wins every year. That’s the league you simpletons want and you would hate it and you aren’t smart enough to know that you would hate it.
The problems you hate in baseball are in every other sport you love but you aren’t smart enough to know you’ve been duped.
Globetrotters vs. Generals is what we want, yes.
I think there is a 10% chance this reply is satire, if so, bravo. Pitch perfect.
Otherwise, yeah…that’s pretty much what every big market pretend they won something they bought fan sounds like.
What do the Yankees have to trade if they can come together on how much money the Cubs offer?
Probably already have those names agreed upon, and to my understanding, the centerpiece of the trade is prospect Will Warren, based on reports that surfaced.
They could have Stroman back!!!
I was so excited when the Cubs initially signed Stroman too. Seemed like a good rotation stabilizer. But I think he’s burned those bridges here in Chicago.
Wouldnt it be funny
If pete & juan stayed in ny
Just switched tms
why would it be funny
It wouldn’t, not at all
Think he means ironic/funny, not haha.
Brian Cashman trying to ruin another easy decision for the Yankees…..
Hal has said that Cashman has 50 million left to spend, and you don’t care about 10 million that’s 20% of what he has left. That might be the difference of landing Walker/Berkman/ Alonzo or someone else!
When did Hal say that?
I read it today on MSN!
Oh boy. That’s an entirely different issue if that is a factual report. Hal has repeatedly said he won’t limit Cashman’s spending as long as it makes sense for them. I get their position, but Hal can’t expect a functional replacement situation for Soto and the rest of the holes if he’s going to tie Cashman’s hands. Hopefully they see the clear need & fit because they need to replace those positions.
Well, thanks for the update, because I had not yet heard that.
Agreed, that’s why Cashman is sqeezing the Cubs a little, 50 million will get them 2 good players. Maybe Santander and Bellinger, or Walker and Bellinger. Looks like Jazz stays at 3rd, and Peraza is the 2nd basemen right now to me.
I think the Fried upgrade helps keep the run total down, but we know starting pitching can be outlier!
What’s your opinion on perhaps an additional trade for Nate Lowe? I’ve seen his name floated a lot in the past couple days. He may be a better option than a FA acquisition for 1B because he won’t cost them additional draft picks.
I know Jazz is athletic has good agility but keeping him as your main 3B is a bad idea.
Better as the main 2B and some OF
I don’t think Lowe is enough of an upgrade, but a trade like they made for Williams would be great because it’s the same money on the cap.
Lowe had a 2.4 WAR last year and plays good defense. He is making 10 million. If the Yanks could make a trade like the Williams trade it would work!
I like Lowe. He would be a good fit
YC, the last time Steinbrenner said anything about the Yankees payroll was Nov 21, 2024. He didn’t say anything today or yesterday.
nydailynews.com/2024/11/21/yankees-hal-steinbrenne…
Hoyer needs to eat that 10 million and get this trade done. Hoyer has pissed away 10 million on dumb signings before, at least here he’s getting something of value.
I hope the Yankees take on the whole deal and dump a busted prospects on them like Pereira. If the Cubs want an actual return then they should eat 5-10 million.
I want to play poker with you
You’d probably do well… My poker knowledge consists of listening to Ace of Spades a few hundred times.
I think Bellinger is a great fit for the team and I only foresee 1 more major move after getting him (1st baseman). I’d prefer to flex the wallet and put a more balanced team on the field. Hal prefers to try to keep the payroll down by giving AAV lowering long deals and selling prospects for salary relief when he can.
Bottom line is everyone is trying to beat the Dodgers, Cubs are not close!
As a Cubs fan it seems they don’t want anything more than the Yankees to take the cash and give them someone like Warren. They just want to use the money on the bullpen or a starter. If the Yankees don’t blink they might pivot to trading Suzuki but that would require a more real prospect.
If they are talking there is some deal that make sense to both sides, these guys are trying to make deals all day long. They only talk to teams that are interested!
@ Polishuk
“Cashman usually casts a wide berth”
“Casts a wide berth” means to deliberately avoid someone or something, keeping a large distance away, similar to how a ship would give another vessel a wide berth at sea to prevent a collision; essentially, it means to stay far away from something or someone on purpose.
it’s the “wide net” you are looking for Cashman to cast
congrats Sal, you missed your calling as a copy editor !
good catch
slow news day…
Good catch.
Not as bad as saying Naylor is “taylor-made” for Yankee stadium, though.
That might fit if Travis Kelce were coming to MLB.
maybe a Vlad Jr for Aaron Judge framework can be worked out
It’s hard for me to believe that a $10 million gap is stopping a deal between two high-revenue clubs like the Yankees and Cubs. Split the difference and that’s a $5 million give for each club. Which nowadays is the price for a backup catcher.
My guess is that the Cubs are asking for a prospect the Yanks don’t want to lose. We’ll see if this endlessly rumored deal ever gets done.
They are asking for the prospect (Will Warren) and the money, or else this would be done already.
Pure speculation, but the Cubs could be asking for Warren and Lombard and the Yankees are balking. That makes more sense to me than the Yanks quibbling over a small (by MLB standards, of course) amount of money. I just find it hard to believe the two clubs couldn’t easily split the difference on a $10 million gap, unless there was something else holding up the deal.
The Yankees only have 1 prospect worth more than a salt shaker and a bag of peanuts and he’s needed in the OF with Soto and Duggie gone. (29th of 30 farms) Lol eventually trading your farm catches up with you when you harbor huge contracts of aging oft injured stars of yesterday production. They’ll run their unsuccessful last gasp attempt to avoid the inevitable rebuild surely needed in ny but ultimately its a 16th year of championship drought for the pinstripes and maybe 7 to 10 more yrs while they rebuild the mess they made. No rings until maybe 2035 in kiddieland fld.
I’d love to see your source for the Yankees farm being ranked 29th in the league
bleacherreport.com/articles/10136313-final-mlb-far…
@Ronk: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_burn_centers_in_the_…
Bleacher Report as your source in 2024 is unbelievably sad. Try a more reputable source like Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, or even FanGraphs next time
Hey, when you have nothing intelligent to say and no reasonable response, just attack the source and its credibility.
Sure, go ahead.
I will absolutely attack the source when it’s Bleacher Report. All of their reputable writers were picked up by legit publications long ago, now it’s just left with hacks like Joel Reuter. He’s nothing more than a fan and a blogger. If you put stock in his opinions, that says a lot about you. Notice how MLB doesn’t factor in BR for incentive picks for ROY? Why do you think that is?
The reigning AL Rookie of the Year came out of that trash farm system.
@Baseball
Ummm….more than one prospect lists buddy. Others have them in the mid-teens
Pertaining to the age of the team… Judge and Staare the only guys over 30
Judge just came off another mvp caliber season. Yanks have 4 position players under 26 and that becomes 6 if they go with Rice at 1b and Cabrera at 2b. The SP has Cole at 33 and Fried and Rodon at 31. Gil and Schmidt are around 25/26. What the heck are you talking about? And stop relying on lists. Lombard isn’t on a top 100 list yet but that’s who the Astros were asking for and and thing with Durbin and Milwaukee. And I wouldn’t be shocked if Rice is listed soon.
@Baseball
Ummm….more than one prospect lists buddy. Others have them in the mid-teens
Pertaining to the age of the team… Judge and Stanton are the only guys over 30. Judge just came off another mvp caliber season. Yanks have 4 position players under 26 and that becomes 6 if they go with Rice at 1b and Cabrera at 2b. The SP has Cole at 33 and Fried and Rodon at 31. Gil and Schmidt are around 25/26. What the heck are you talking about? And stop relying on lists. Lombard isn’t on a top 100 list yet but that’s who the Astros were asking for and and thing with Durbin and Milwaukee. And I wouldn’t be shocked if Rice is listed soon.
My bet is on the Yankees signing Alonso as a way to “get back at” the Mets for “stealing” Soto.
Alonso loves NYC and his power hitting fits well with the Yankees style.
I see a trade coming for a 3B for the Mets. Suarez from the Diamondbacks? Arenado from the Cards? Obviously Arenado is the bigger name and a much, much better defensive player than Suarez. He might be cheaper in prospects too because of his salary. Can you imagine the defense on the left side with him and Lindor?
Vientos is not a good defensive 3B. I think he is better suited to 1B.
Then the Mets sign Burnes.
The Yankees would only get back at the Mets if they drive the price up on Alonso and the Mets sign him. Signing Alonso would be salt in the wound for the Yankees. We don’t want him. Bellinger would bring back some of the left-handed balance that we lost.
Apparently, the Yankees do want Alonso because this article mentions right up front about them pursuing him along with Walker and Bellinger. You as a fan might not, but the team definitely does.
The chances of the Yabkees wanting to sign Alonso are similar to the Rays signing Juan Soto. I’d rather resign Rizzo and avoid the long commitment.
*Go Yabkees!!!
Actually, NY is big enough for 3 teams.
Rizzo.
Rizzo would be a bit NO…as he’s pretty much lost his power stroke, and doesn’t really hit for average any more….plus he has a penchant for getting HBP which will take its toll in injuries that at his age don’t heal very quickly…..and of course his defense has become rather average…..
That is why the article mentions upfront that they have been talking to him? Ok. If you say so.
YBC, they have been talking to Alonso. Are you saying they like to spend their time talking to players they don’t want to sign? That makes no sense at all.
How does Santander never get brought up in the available big bat 1B conversation? Barely any comments on him. Not in the article. The guy hit 44 HRs last year
Because he was an OF maybe?
Okay, I checked. Thought he’d spent a lot more time at 1B.
websoulsurfer — I’d agree with all you’ve said except Burnes has made clear he’d rather be on the West Coast, although as his price keeps rising (and the Blue Jays keep up with it), I think the Giants might back off.
Burnes has said no such thing. He met with Cohen near his home in Scottdale just a few days ago.
Unless you have a direct quote on him saying that he would rather play on the West Coast, I call BS.
What they have is Rosenthal saying he heard from an unnamed source that Burnes preferred the West Coast. That because he was born in Bakersfie;ld, went to school at St Mary’s in the Bay Area, and lives in Scottsdale that of course he would prefer the West Coast. Just like all Japanese players obviously prefer the West Coast.
Run Rice Krispy Treats back out there at 1b lol Go Redsox!
They could probably get Andrew Vaughn for peanuts…. And watch him become a real star in NY. Seems like a good change of scenery guy. Lots of promised potential that he inconsistently shows flashes of realizing.
Granted, he’s not a lefty… don’t know if that’s a sticking point.
Below average hitter and below average fielder. They would be better off running Ben Rice out there.
The metaphor is “casting a wide net.”
“Casting a wide berth” is mixing that one with “allowing a wide berth.”
If Jed and the Cubs were “going to blink”, the deal would have already been done. All the pressure is on the Yankees. Further, his name is Cashman and money is the holdup:)
Sometimes you win with the trade you don’t make in baseball!
That is funny. The Yankees are not the one stuck with $52.5 million in salaries for a guy that doesn’t have a position to play and whose contract is about $10 million upside down each season for the next 2.
There have been zero teams linked to Bellinger other than the Yankees. There have been many other first basemen linked to the Yankees.
All the pressure is on the Cubs. They’re the ones desperate to get out of the contract.
Who.
I think the Cubs actually have to trade Bellinger so they can be in the market for players that they actually want and need to round out their roster. Keeping Bellinger on the Cubs hurt their chances for most of the big fish they desire.
You nailed it, all the semi contenders are trying to get rid of players they don’t want and get players they want.
Um, every team is trying to do exactly that to whatever extent possible.
Do we know IF Bellinger has a Partial or Full Trade clause where he can be traded to?
TOR (as OF and DH), AZ, SEA?
An up and coming team like DET, PIT
I feel like even if the threw in $10M or even $15M the Cubs are winning this trade financially and mostly just want the salary relief so I dong get the hold up if there’s both serious.
Santana would be an interesting one year option, but probably gonna cost $10M or so.
Why sign 39 yr old Santana? May as well bring Rizzo back!
Actually, I think they do. As I’ve been saying, I believe Hoyer is under orders to stay under the luxury tax.
He could be traded somewhere besides NYY
Of course. But all I’ve heard about in terms of any interest at all have been the Bombers.
The windows on Aaron Judge and Cole, are closing, if you go the cheap route as usual the windows will close and you still will not have gotten to the World Series again. they don’t seem to care, all they care about is saving money. I’ve gone this far, why cheap out now.
Not catching easy pops and not covering first, basic stuff. I’m not even sure there’s any window.
quite true
Yanks are always over the cap, that is not cheap! Fried was not cheap! There is nothing about the Yanks that is cheap!
if you can’t understand what you’re reading, why bother reading these posts .I did not say they were cheap overall, just that they are taking the cheap route in this particular instance, instead of getting the player they need. Is that simple enough for you?
Top 3 payroll but they are cheaping out, eh? Feeling a bit entitled, you are.
… And almost all teams keep raising prices for tickets, parking, food, costs to stream the games, blacked out games like (exclusive AMZN or AAPL games etc.)
Soon comes PSL Personal seat licenses like in NFL probably
Yankees would have to be nuts to consider putting Carlos Santana in this lineup.
Not yankee related but now that the ink dried on the Soto contract he started talking and stated Machado is toxic and clubhouse cancer.
That’s not news. Anyone paying attention knows Machado is all about himself.
Soto didn’t say that at all. The media tried to intimate it. You really need to stop reading Sporting News on your phone.
Soto, Manny, and Yainee were seen having dinner at Peohe’s in Coronado where Soto lives in the offseason a few days ago.
You know what Soto did say publicly? That not one player on the Yankees reached out to him once he became a free agent. While several Mets players were trying to recruit him. Yankee players said nothing to him. Radio silence.
He changed his number and didn’t give it to any of them. Now he’s complaining that nobody reached out? I suppose they should have just gone to his house unannounced.
WTH are you talking about?
Absolutely NOT on Santana. Cashman…..do your job and make some deals!! Need to look into Bellinger, Horner, Yandy, Naylor and Donovan.
If Santana has similar stats as 2024, he is a switch hitter, good defensively at 1B (lots of experience their), Ben Rice could come up by All Star break, durable 594 ABs in 2024. Only made about 6M
Big IF at that age. Would much rather get a younger option.
Wouldn’t be in this situation if they just signed Harper instead of trading for Stanton
Cashman and the Yankees didn’t even talk to Harper…
Because they got Stanton which was unnecessary
The Cubs also have the delusion that they are trying to trade a 27 million dollar player
I wonder if any teams are considering Jurickson Profar as a full time 1b. He started 2 games at 1b last year and has played 72 games there total, including 52 starts.
Bellinger very likely would be for LF, not 1B.
It is still early, many of the free agents and trades are yet to come!
Yankees were about to spend more than 700MM over one player just a week ago, I just can’t see who’ll cover the 10MM for Cody as their problem. Just get him and move on!! Naylor? You’re kidding me right?
Apples and oranges, the 700 was for 15 years, so really 47 this year!
Ariana – they are trying to keep this years luxury cap in check somewhat so by saving some on Belli they can sign other players.
Rice/LeMahieu platoon seems logical.
You mean Rice / Cabrera. DJ will not make the team after ST is over as this guy is as washed up as they come.
Cubs eat $7m, get Clayton Beeter. Bellinger done deal!
We need beeter
Give them a bag of peanuts and tell them cody sucks
As a Ranger fan, I would be interested in knowing what the Yankees would give up for Lowe. The Rangers don’t have to move Lowe, but Lowe’s bat sure would play well in NY.
The Yanks want the Cubs to kick in 10 million and the Cubs probably only want to kick in 5 million plus the Cubs want the Yankees 5th best prospect in Warren. Why would the Yankees not wait and just pivot and sign Walker for first and Kim (26yo Korean lefty batting free agent) 2nd baseman.
There’s no rush adding another left handed bat. Go after one more starter like Walker Buehler or Roki Sasaku which is a long shot, get rid of Stroman, add a few more bullpen arms in Hill and Kahnle. The team pitching is much better and defense and speed on the bases would be better. They can always add another left handed bat at the deadline.
I’ve been wondering myself why they aren’t linked to either of the Kim’s. Both are great defensive players with speed. One has some power, the other more contact.
Liking the idea of the Kim’s, especially the new one. Maybe the As would be willing to trade for Stroman? They’re hungry for pitching and payroll. Stro is still a solid starting option, if maybe slightly overpaid
If Stroman is still a solid starting option, I have some farm land for sale in the desert. Yankee fans are a hoot.
Why not signing Goldy or Santana for 1B, or put Judge on 1B so we can sign Anthony Santander …?
Cubs fans like you are under the delusion that the Cubs don’t have to trade Bellinger. He has no position open for him to play and he has a contract that is upside down $10 million per season with 2 seasons to go.
We’ve talked about this plenty, but here’s some thoughts:
Sign Pete Alonso, and stick it to the Mets.
Sign Pete Alonso, and stick it to the Mets.
Sign Pete Alonso, and stick it to the Mets.
Sign Pete Alonso, and stick it to the Mets.
Additionally:
Sign Pete Alonso, and stick it to the Mets.
But seriously…
Sign Pete Alonso, and stick it to the Mets.
I could write all day about the pros and cons of Josh Naylor, but one sure thing is that he’s not going to the Yankees after last postseason. Been following Guardians a long time and they’ll see out his last year. If they’re in the postseason, he’ll be there. If things go south, he’ll be traded at the deadline.
Don’t sign Santana (anyone) until he wears pants to play. A 40 year old man wearing shorts to play MLB is embarrassing.
If the Cubs can’t get him off the books for next season then you can say goodbye to Tucker.
Sign Carlos Santana for one year, trade for Belli. Move Cody in 2026 to 1B and Jones will be ready for CF. That keeps the payroll down and perhaps we can get an impact bat for 3b. Arenado anyone?
Belli would be great in pinstripes if he relaxes. He’s built for that park. He’s still got tools. He’d fit in nicely and produce I believe.
Screw bellinger
We need to bring back Greg Bird
He is an excellent player if the Yanks give him a chance
But it seems most American teams have no talent for talent evaluation
Not sure where to post this, so this is as good as anywhere until a new article comes out about Bellinger.
Was in San Diego tonight for a meeting to get an update on a project for the Padres called Tailgate Park that will eventually be built about a block from their stadium. We met with the developer, some execs from the team, and a group of other contractors that won bids on the build to find out what’s going on and when we can expect to start The project is tied up in lawsuits right now saying the city sold the land to the team for too low of a price, but they expect that will be settled in the next by the end of January and we will get to work in April or May doing what we all do, build stuff.
Once the meeting was over and we were all sitting around eating, talk turned to baseball. One of the team execs that is involved in the business end, not the baseball operations end, said that the Padres were working on several trades that the “baseball guys” had to run by his department because of the changes in payroll.
One he mentioned that had been run by his department as a possibility would tick off both Padres fans and Cubs fans. . It was for Bellinger.
The Padres would eat $22.5 million of Bellinger’s contract in 2025 and another $10 million if he opted in for 2026, so they would be paying $32.5 million of the $52.5 million he is guaranteed if he opted in for a $25 million salary in 2026. The Padres would also receive a catcher named Moises Ballesteros that is one of the Cubs top 5 prospects and two pitching prospects, Arias and I think he was saying Birdsale(?)
The Cubs would get a ton of money off their payroll, 2 MLB relievers, a pitching prospect, and a 3B named Rosario. Wandy Peralta being the big name reliever along with Reynolds, and a prospect named Rodriguez that the exec was especially high on.
An 8 man trade. I think everyone would be a little ticked off about that trade.
Rather see the Angels make a trade for Bellinger. We have an Adell sized hole in RF that Bellinger would fill well, but I don’t think that will happen even if Moreno was willing to eat as much money as the Padres. Just no one to send back that the Cubs might want other than Dana and no way should we be trading him for anyone.
Yankees just traded for Bellinger so that won’t happen.
Yeah, he laid out several and that was one of them that he said was a possibility. To his defense, he is a number cruncher, not a baseball operations guy.