From Bill Ladson:
Cody Bellinger is going to tell you that he wasn’t seeking revenge against the Cubs on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.
Yes, they traded him to the Yankees on Dec. 17 for right-hander Cody Poteet. But it was all good Friday when Bellinger was seen hugging his former mates as the Cubs took early batting practice around 2:30 p.m. It was the first time Bellinger had seen them since the trade.
“It was good to see them. We were hanging out and they were hitting early,” Bellinger said. “I have a lot of good relationships over there. It’s really a fun group of guys. I had an unbelievable time in Chicago. I love all of those guys over there. It was good to see a majority of them today and share a few laughs. It was cool.”
The Cubs were not laughing after the game because it felt like payback for the man affectionately known as “Belli,” who nearly hit four homers but ended up with three and drove in six runs in an 11-0 victory over Chicago. Bellinger, who extended his hitting streak to 16 games, is the first player in MLB history to hit three home runs in his first game against a former team.
Well, THAT was pretty fucking cool, huh?
Carlos Rodon threw 8 shutout innings, Aaron Judge saved at LEAST four runs from scoring on Rodon via two great catches (going over the fence to take a home run away from Pete Crow-Armstrong, and making a diving catch to take a double or triple away from Kyle Tucker), plus a THIRD really good catch, as well, while Cody Bellinger hit three home runs, and had a FOURTH home run taken away from an over the fence grab by a great catch.
The featured image is Rodon celebrating Judge’s eighth inning catch like a madman.
Rodon was the first Yankee this season to pitch 8 shutout.
Spencer HR
https://x.com/swbrailriders/status/1943841285204222451?s=61&t=fhOaqwtc8q2TMSXUDRjPeg
Is there any scenario where it makes more sense to just re-sign Belli and wait for Jones rather than going all in on Tucker? And then use Tucker’s money on a third baseman instead? Like outbidding the Red Sox on Bregman?
The Yankees will be having Hicks’ money and Goldy’s money coming off the books (plus Grisham’s money, as no way he returns). That’s about $27 million right there. You give Bregman a six-year deal at $27 million, you probably get him.