The New York Yankees have made a significant trade by acquiring outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs, alongside $5 million in cash, in exchange for reliever Cody Poteet. This move comes as the Yankees aim to bolster their lineup following the departure of Juan Soto to the New York Mets. Bellinger, a former National League MVP, had a mixed season in 2024, experiencing a drop in production with a 109 wRC+ over 130 games, compared to a stronger 136 wRC+ in 2023. Despite a fractured finger sidelining him for part of the season, he managed to remain a reliable presence in the Cubs' lineup.

Analyzing Bellinger's performance reveals a notable decline in power, with only 18 home runs and a significant drop in his slugging percentage. His expected statistics suggest a concerning trend of negative regression moving forward, particularly evident in his struggles against sliders in 2024. As he transitions to Yankee Stadium, the short right-field porch could potentially enhance his home run totals, providing optimism for fantasy baseball managers.

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, projections indicate that Bellinger could improve his output, potentially hitting 23 home runs with a .254 batting average. However, concerns remain regarding the gap between his actual and expected stats. The trade also raises questions about the future of Yankees' top prospect Jasson Dominguez, who missed much of 2024 due to injury. The Yankees' decision to acquire Bellinger may reflect uncertainty about Dominguez's immediate impact in the outfield.

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The New York Yankees are focusing on defense as they begin the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals, starting veteran Alex Verdugo in left field over rookie Jasson Dominguez.

Manager Aaron Boone emphasized Verdugo's defensive skills and playoff experience as key factors in the decision, despite Dominguez being a highly regarded prospect. Boone noted that while Dominguez will not start, he remains on the roster and could still play a significant role in the postseason.

The New York Yankees are gearing up for their ALDS series against the Kansas City Royals, with manager Aaron Boone addressing the media ahead of Game 1. Boone discussed the decision to start Alex Verdugo in left field over Jasson Dominguez, citing Verdugo's defensive skills and playoff experience.

Boone also revealed uncertainty over the Game 3 starter, with Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt as potential options, while confirming Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon for Games 1 and 2, respectively.

Additionally, Boone explained the exclusion of Mark Leiter Jr. from the roster, attributing it to performance issues and the emergence of other effective pitchers. With Anthony Rizzo sidelined, utility player Oswaldo Cabrera will take over first base duties, supported by Ben Rice and Jon Berti.