SSTN Mailbag: Bellinger, Pitching, And A Trade Proposal!

I have jokingly referred to myself as the Optimist-In-Chief around SSTN for over half a decade now. Realistically, I tend to be one of the more optimistic people regarding the Yankees' methodology for operation and the roster's likelihood for full-season and postseason success. Right now, I'm finding it incredibly difficult to maintain my fictitious title.

There is very clearly a distinct separation in baseball this offseason: teams who really don't care about posturing for the next CBA and everyone else. The Blue Jays have been begging the game's best players to take their money for years, and have finally found an offseason in which some have been willing; the Orioles have spent some money after their homegrown players stagnated terribly last season; the Dodgers didn't have much to do, but signed the best closer on the market after their bullpen spent the regular season in a state of disarray; and the Red Sox have made moves for the benefit of the roster. Otherwise? Small market teams that have spent money have done so in order to claim that they aren't bilking the system for extreme profit and everyone else is seemingly bargain hunting as they wait for a new CBA.

It's all made for an awful offseason. The Yankees have a good base roster, but plenty of work to do. None of it is getting done, and I am getting a bad feeling about the team's chances for the upcoming season. I hope I'm wrong.

As always, thanks for the great questions and keep them coming to SSTNReadermail@gmail.com. In this week's SSTN Mailbag, we'll talk about Cody Bellinger, pitching, and a trade proposal! Let's get at it:

Brian asks: The Yankees and Cody Bellinger are reportedly apart on the length of his free agent deal. The rumors I've heard are that the Yankees won't go beyond 5 years, but have offered something in the realm of $30 million/year. How high should the Yankees be willing to go to get Bellinger?

I have long been of the opinion that he shouldn't be the Yankees' top target in the first place, but for the purposes of this discussion, let's pretend he should be their top target. Cody Bellinger turns 31 in July of this upcoming season. He was excellent as a Yankee last season, but his profile only works for a few teams. Bellinger was significantly better in Yankee Stadium than he was anywhere else, taking extreme advantage of the short porch. Outside of Yankee Stadium, Bellinger was barely an average hitter last season. He also has a year-over-year reverse platoon split, meaning he hits far better against lefties than righties, which is the short side of a platoon. Since his early explosive offense with the Dodgers, Bellinger is a good, but flawed and inconsistent hitter. He's versatile, runs the bases well, and plays fantastic defense at multiple positions, but I think he's more valuable to the Yankees than he is on the open market. More to the point, I think it's easy to imagine a world where he doesn't age well.

Am I good with bringing Bellinger back for the next 5 seasons, even if it means the last 1-2 aren't great? Yes, as long as the Yankees fill out the roster elsewhere in addition. Do I want to be on the hook for paying Bellinger past his mid-30s? No chance. History shows that paying non-elite players past their mid-30s always fails. The Yankees have seen that in recent history with Aaron Hicks and DJ LeMahieu. Paying Bellinger for more than a few years would fall into the same category.

Fuster asks: whether , given the Yankees' need for more and better pitching to begin the 2026 season, any of the organization's pitching prospects are likely to be ready when the games begin

which may be ready later in the season

and

which free agent pitchers are likely to be worth acquiring for the Yankees.

The only remaining free agent pitcher in whom I would have any interest is Zac Gallen. Gallen struggled mightily to begin last season, but he righted the ship in the 2nd half and has a multitude of ways to get hitters out. He also generally avoids hard-hit fly balls, making him a decent fit for Yankee Stadium. The issue is that I think he'll be an overpaid number 4 starter, so I don't see the Yankees looking in that direction.

We've discussed the trade market ad nauseum this offseason, so I'll highlight a few upper-level pitchers who are capable of making an impact in 2026:

• Brendan Beck - No one took Beck in the Rule 5 Draft, but he's finally healthy after years of awful setbacks due to arm injuries. His velocity, never his strong suit, faltered down the stretch, but I have a hunch he can begin to attempt some arm strengthening with a normal offseason. One extra fastball grade would make Beck a truly viable big league starter. If he's more 93-94 MPH in the Spring as opposed to 90-91 MPH, he can make an impact given his command and ability to think and pitch.

• Elmer Rodriguez (formerly ERC) - Rodriguez really pitched his heart out last season after coming over from the Red Sox, and he's on the precipice of the big leagues having reached AAA. Rodriguez is pitchability and command over pure stuff, but the stuff is very good as well. He needs a little finishing with his secondary command and added growth from his change-up, but even though he's young, he's a nearly finished product ready to help in the big leagues.

• Carlos Lagrange - In terms of pure stuff, Lagrange is as exciting as it comes. The ball just explodes out of his hand, even when he's just at cruising speed. His delivery has come a long way, though it still needs to come further to make him a viable starter in the big leagues. That could come as soon as this year, but even if it doesn't, his pure stuff and ability to pair his fastball with a good slider with good enough control would be enough to make Lagrange a viable big league bullpen arm immediately. I genuinely believe that in short stints, Lagrange might post the highest fastball velocity in baseball.

• Ben Hess - A pit bull on the mound, Hess is working to clean up his command and delivery, but the pieces are there to either be a good starter or an impact back-of-the-bullpen arm. I think Hess had some mechanical tweaks take near the end of the season, and more than anyone on this list, I think Hess could break out in 2026.

• Bryce Cunningham - Cunningham is a reasonably polished starter with experience in the SEC prior to a decent first pro season surrounded by injury. I expect him to start in AA, but the stuff is there for him to be a decent pro starter, but I have him graded a bit lower than others due to the lack of deception in his delivery.

Alan B. asks: Just read that the Yankees checked in on Skubal. Yeah, not happening, but this proposal popped into my head: OF Bandon Jones and LHP Kyle Carr or Brock Selvidge to DET for RHP Casey Mize. Thoughts? 

The Tigers would hang up very quickly, but I understand your thought process. Two high probability big league pitchers (though neither has significant upside), and a high probability big league outfielder for an injury prone starter. Given the Yankees' issues with injuries in the starting rotation, I wouldn't want to pin any early season hopes on a guy with Mize's injury history.

The Yankees need a safe innings-eater or a young pitcher who is already established with at least a couple of years of team control. Mize has a lot of talent, but I have no faith he'll ever stay healthy.