Baseball chatter can quickly become a roaring headline, especially in New York. Cody Bellinger arrived with the Yankees this past offseason carrying big expectations. But early difficulties have clouded that picture significantly. Now, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller says Bellinger “could be out of a job” soon if he doesn’t figure things out. This hard truth opens up intriguing trade possibilities as the deadline approaches.
Bellinger’s history features incredible highs followed by perplexing lows, making him a true enigma. Remember his 2019 MVP season with the Dodgers? He hit 47 homers with a sparkling 1.035 OPS. Unfortunately, injuries and inconsistency led to a dramatic dip, bottoming out in 2021 and 2022. He had a fantastic comeback story with the Cubs in 2023, going .307 with 26 homers and 97 RBIs. But the regression came in 2024, and his beginning with the Yankees has been troubling. As of late-April/early-May, he had a meager .206 average and a .644 OPS, far below expectations.
This performance dip coincides with a sudden, urgent need down south. As Mariana Moreno of Fansided points out, “Jurickson Profar‘s suspension for performance-enhancing drugs has put the Atlanta Braves in a bind.” Losing their key free-agent signing for 80 games left an enormous void. And Atlanta fans “still have to wait a few weeks for Ronald Acuna Jr.’s return” from injury. This double blow left the Braves scrambling early in the season, even tumbling down the standings temporarily.
For the struggling Braves, Bellinger is potential salvation and the much-needed stability they have been lacking. “Having Bellinger as insurance for Brian Snitker’s team would be a good move,” Moreno added. Even the 2024 version (.266 /.325/.751) of Bellinger provides more hitting potential than the immediate internal candidates for the Braves. He offers additional value as a defensively flexible outfielder. A few financial obstacles are in place due to Bellinger’s $80M contract, but Atlanta’s desperation might lead them to be the most motivated suitor if the Yankees cover some salary. They certainly have pieces to negotiate if needed.
Yankees’ star outfielder’s future in question
At the same time, other teams likely are paying very close attention to Bellinger’s status. The surprisingly early AL West-leading Seattle Mariners could use reinforcements. They know division rivals like Houston and Texas won’t stay quiet. Víctor Robles‘ injury opened an outfield spot, and Bellinger’s résumé is undeniable. Just a marginally better Bellinger (25 saves, including LF, RF, and CF this season) represents an upgrade over possibilities like Luke Raley(18 saves, including CF, RF, and DH this season) in the outfield mix.
And then there’s the truly captivating possibility: a return to Chavez Ravine. Will Bellinger return to the Dodgers? It reads like Hollywood drama. He had his finest successes there, including that ring from the 2020 World Series. Although the Dodgers let him walk after his struggles, perhaps they’d reconsider. Moreno suggests a scenario where “the plan could be to bring him back… to replace Michael Conforto,” who started 2025 poorly, hitting only .156 with a .569 OPS. Seeing Belli back in Dodger blue would certainly be something.
Of course, Bellinger has proved that he can flip the script in the past. A spectacular comeback season in 2023 with the Chicago Cubs had silenced doubters. He revitalized his career, hitting .307 with .881 OPS and winning Comeback Player of the Year. That performance earned him the big contract the Yankees inherited. Though his 2025 season start echoes his past struggles, the season is still relatively young. There’s still time for the former MVP to find his rhythm again in the Bronx pinstripes.
However, the current Yankee outfield dynamic fuels the speculation. As Miller noted, Trent Grisham‘s solid start and top prospect Jasson Domínguez settling into left field put pressure on Bellinger. If the Yankees keep up the winning and if Bellinger keeps on slumping, General Manager Brian Cashman will explore options.
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