Anthony SantanderGreg Fiume/Getty Images
Whereas Bellinger may be positioned to strike it rich in free agency a year from now, fortunes haven’t taken a turn for the better for those currently on the market.
Namely, Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander.
Both had been connected to the Yankees following Soto’s deal with the Mets, including by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com and Erik Bowland of Newsday. As the two combined for 77 homers in 2024, either would have promised to replace Soto’s lost power at least.
Now, it seems safe to assume that the Yankees won’t be signing either one of them.
With Bellinger in center field and Judge in right field, the Yankees have stars in two of their three outfield spots. And in top prospect Jasson Domínguez, they have a guy with star upside slated to play left field.
It’s hypothetically possible that the Yankees will create an opening in left by shifting Bellinger to first base, with Domínguez going to center. That is not the club’s official plan, however, and to play Bellinger at first base would be to hamstring his on-field value.
Further, the Yankees adding to their outfield did not create a need for the Cubs to add to theirs. With Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ set to start, their outfield is plenty strong as is.