Today's mailbag gets into the merits of a few rumored Yankees options, where Corbin Burnes might go, whether Juan Soto will opt out, how the Brewers might sort out their outfield, chances of the Dodgers signing various free agents, and what's next for the A's.
Michael asks:
Please tell me how the Yankees are fixing this offense. When is Bellinger happening? Any chance they also get Nico Hoerner?
Arthur asks:
Why haven’t the Yankees made a move for a position player? To me, signing Christian Walker to play first is a no-brainer.
I wouldn't rule it out, but I think it's fair to say that the likelihood of the Cubs trading Hoerner is reduced now that they've dealt corner infielder Isaac Paredes. The Cubs' depth chart already has top prospect Matt Shaw at third now. Plus, Hoerner had flexor tendon surgery and we don't know his exact timeline yet. Barring the acquisition of a new starting-caliber infielder, I expect Hoerner to stay put.
The Yankees-Bellinger rumor has been persistent. Bellinger, 29, is owed $32.5MM for 2025 if he opts out of the $20MM he's owed in '26, or $52.5MM for the two years if he doesn't. This amount of money for what is likely a 2-WAR player is no small consideration, even for the Yankees. The Yankees' current competitive balance tax payroll is somewhere in the $266MM range, though I think it's possible they get out of $12-15MM of the $18MM owed to Marcus Stroman.
It seems likely the Yankees will land back in the 95% or 110% tax bracket by the end of 2025, so every dollar they add is essentially doubled.
I don't think Bellinger would be a panacea for the Yankees. He projects to stay in the 110 wRC+ range in 2025, the realm of what guys like Michael Conforto, Ryan Mountcastle, J.D. Martinez, and Mike Yastrzemski did this year. The ability to move Bellinger between outfield and first base is a plus though. I'm almost certain Bellinger will be traded, but there may be other suitors that don't face the steep competitive balance tax or can't attract similar players in free agency.
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