The Bronx hasn’t stopped buzzing since Juan Soto turned down the Yankees‘ offer and jumped ship to their crosstown rivals, the Mets, in a jaw-dropping $765 million move. Many fans felt betrayed; losing a superstar slugger to the enemy felt like a gut punch, especially with October dreams on the line. But not everyone is mourning his exit. In fact, one former Yankee, who also happens to be the father of the team’s newest addition, believes they might be better off without Soto.
When Soto chose Steve Cohen’s deal over the Yankees’ offer, the team did lose arguably one of the best hitters in MLB and someone who complemented Aaron Judge well. That prompted them to switch to their offseason Plan B, and it opened up numerous possibilities for them. To fill the void Soto left, they signed a few players, including former MVP and Gold Glove winner Cody Bellinger.
And now, as he’s proving to be $80 million well spent, his dad, Clay Bellinger, thinks the Yankees made the right decision. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Clay, who played three seasons for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, said, “You’re getting three or four guys instead of one. It ended up being a no-brainer. For me, anyway.” He’s right about that.
Letting go of the star slugger freed up over $700 million the Yankees had earmarked for him, and they used that war chest to bring in multiple impact players instead. And the way they’re playing this season further validates Clay’s words. Paul Goldschmidt, Max Fried, Devin Williams, and, of course, Cody Bellinger are among the new additions, and each one stands out in their way.
While Soto’s ugly slump has sparked concerns for the Mets, his replacements have been nothing short of brilliant in Pinstripes this season. Take Goldschmidt, for instance. Ever since joining the Yankees, the tables have turned for him; he’s batting with a huge .347 average. Fried, who settled in quickly, is enjoying a 7-0 record with a 1.29 ERA — and guess what? That is the best in MLB.
Williams has also proven to be a significant asset. And then there’s Bellinger, who is slashing. 258/.329/.457 with 8 home runs and 32 RBI. He shows solid defense and situational power and uses his postseason experience to keep delivering for the team. There’s no denying they’ve contributed much more than just replacing a name on the roster.
While these players have helped steady the team after Soto’s departure, trade rumors are swirling, with Bellinger and Williams possibly becoming trade bait for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bellinger and Williams rumored as Yankees’ trade chips in Phillies deal
With the trade deadline looming, teams are making every possible move to sharpen their lineups for the postseason race. The Yankees, battling injuries, are no stranger to making tough calls, and when October arrives, they’ll want their best possible roster ready. While some players are bound to be traded, it’s especially surprising that Bellinger and Williams might be on the chopping block just months into their Bronx run.
The Yankees are set to trade Soto’s replacements to the Phillies in a blockbuster deal, if the rumors are true. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Yankees are “aggressively searching for a right-handed bat, preferably a third baseman, while also looking for another starter.” The perfect candidates? Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm and starter Taijuan Walker.
This could definitely help the Phillies push through the tightly contested NL East, which they now lead. But what about the Yankees? It’s a fact that there aren’t many assets left to trade for the team, but moving Bellinger now carries every chance of proving to be a massive gamble, especially when he’s building momentum and acts as a safety net for Judge.
Williams, too, is returning to the dominant reliever form he showed in Milwaukee. Letting go of these players now could disrupt clubhouse chemistry, right when they’re finding their rhythm after Soto’s exit. They’re not just barely managing; with each outing, they’re making it clear they’re stronger than ever. With a 35-20 record, topping the AL East, October glory feels within reach for the Bronx Bombers, only if they play their cards right.
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