Yankees trade idea pairs $200 million three-time All-Star with Cody Bellinger
The New York Yankees have made another major move in their pivot away from Juan Soto.
After agreeing to deals with veteran starter Max Fried and star closer Devin Williams, the Yankees have agreed to a trade with the Chicago Cubs that will bring former Most Valuable Player Award winner Cody Bellinger to the Bronx.
But the Yankees might not be done yet. Even after additions that boost the starting rotation, bullpen and batting order, the team still has some question marks around the infield as a pair of 2024 staples, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Gleyber Torres, are now free agents. Assessing the post-Bellinger landscape, NJ.com’s Pete Caldera highlighted Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa as a Yankees trade possibility that would address the infield questions in blockbuster fashion.
“For the potential upside, it wouldn’t hurt to ask,” Caldera wrote.
It might be hard to imagine Correa as an “upside” addition, as he’s heading into the third year of a six-year, $200 million contract after missing significant time with injury in 2024. But as a three-time All-Star, Correa has been one of baseball’s best talents in his career and he has the chance to return to that form with the Yankees if the Twins are looking to shed his hefty contract.
“Pros: An impact hitter with plus-defense who — might? — move to third base if the Yankees inquired,” as Caldera wrote of a potential trade for Correa. “Cons: The Minnesota Twins’ asking price would be very high, despite Correa’s recent injury history and $128 million guaranteed through 2028.”
The Yankees have held onto most of its prospect talent, even after trades to land Williams and Bellinger, so they might still have enough to get a deal for Correa done. But leveraging the future of the franchise for another expensive star who might be past his prime could be risky.
Ultimately, the Bellinger trade has put the Yankees within striking distance of a win-now offseason that gets them back into the World Series for 2025. However, they still seem a move or two short from fully recovering from the loss of Soto.
An impact infielder could be the final piece to the puzzle. Whether or not Correa serves as that infielder would likely depend on the cost to acquire him but, as Caldera noted, it wouldn’t hurt to ask