Yankees Predicted To Sign Former NL MVP While Red Sox Eye Different Free Agent

The Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles have all made major moves this offseason, bettering their odds of winning the American League East. However, the New York Yankees have been pretty quiet.

The Red Sox have made trades to acquire Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and Willson Contreras. The Blue Jays have signed Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers, Kazuma Okamoto and Tyler Rogers. The Orioles signed Ryan Helsley, Pete Alonso and traded for Shane Baz. Meanwhile, the Yankees are still waiting to make their big splash.

The Yankees are reportedly targeting Cody Bellinger, and he is their top priority. Unfortunately for the Yankees, it will take more than signing just Bellinger to catch their rest of the American League East. The Red Sox are reportedly talking to Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, while the Blue Jays are still in the mix for Kyle Tucker.

While the Red Sox pursue Bregman to potentially cap off their offseason, the Yankees are making Bellinger their top priority to kickstart a series of moves, potentially. Sports Illustrated’s Will Laws and Nick Selbe predicted the Yankees would get their guy in Bellinger, finally getting on the board at the top of the free agent market.

“After being traded to New York in what was essentially a salary dump for the Cubs, Bellinger swatted 29 home runs—his most since hitting 47 in his MVP campaign in 2019—to go along with a career-best 13.7% strikeout rate,” wrote Sports Illustrated on Wednesday. “Add in plus outfield defense in the corners and capable coverage in center field, and the decision to opt out of his contract was an easy one. Bellinger is clearly one of the premier bats available this winter—not too bad for a guy who was non-tendered by the Dodgers just three years ago. The Yankees have indicated retaining him is their top remaining offseason priority.”

Bellinger is a former MVP and was a great fit for the Yankees. The Yankees likely have not made any moves yet because they are waiting for him to sign. However, if they get Bellinger, they could start filling some of the other holes on their roster.

On the other hand, Bregman would fill out the final need for the Red Sox, which is another impact bat. They could still use a left-handed reliever, but that would not be a move they prioritize over Bregman.