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Yankees linked to polarizing outfielder to replace Cody Bellinger.
The New York Yankees have some backup options in mind should Cody Bellinger sign elsewhere this offseason.
Bellinger is one of the top free agent bats available, and several teams have shown interest in him. Although he remains the priority for the Yankees, no deal has been made, leaving the possibility that he signs elsewhere.
If Bellinger leaves, Yankees insider Brendan Kuty of The Athletic linked New York to signing Tommy Pham to replace Bellinger.
“Austin Hays remains a free agent, and could potentially platoon with Domínguez,” Kuty wrote. “Last season, Hays hit .319 with two home runs but a .949 OPS (nine doubles, three triples) in 105 plate appearances versus lefties. For his career, he has a .819 OPS versus lefties. Tommy Pham is also a free agent, and he owns an .802 career OPS versus lefties.”
Pham would be a surprising addition to the Yankees, but would likely fill in a platoon role with Dominguez or Spencer Jones. Pham is also a polarizing figure as he’s been involved in plenty of incidents on the field and on social media, so whether or not the Yankees would want that is to be seen.
Yet, Pham is still a serviceable MLB player. Last season, he hit .245 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s also appeared in 37 career playoff games.
Pham Made Benches Clear Against Blue Jays
Although Bellinger is a much better hitter than Pham, the latter has shown the ability to get under the opposing team’s skin.
Last season, when the Pirates were playing the Toronto Blue Jays – the Yankees’ division rival – Pham caused the benches to clear. He flipped his bat after a walk and ran back at catcher Tyler Heineman, as he thought he said something, who said he was talking to the ump asking if the pitch was low.
“It was weird, man,” Heineman said. “It was weird, it was unprovoked and super weird. I wouldn’t have said anything, but I didn’t really like how he flipped the bat on a four-pitch walk. Little weird. Then he looked right back at me. The video can probably tell you everything, but you’re probably just as confused as I am.”
Pham, meanwhile, said it was disrespectful for Heineman to question the umpire’s zone. It was also disrespectful to him.
“[Complaining] about a ball not being called a strike to the umpire when it’s clearly below the zone and away is disrespectful not only to the umpire but the hitter as well,” Pham said in a reply on X to an MLB.com reporter. “… I know the zone.”
It caused Pham to be very disliked by Blue Jays fans, so he would fit in well with the Yankees.
Yankees Offered Bellinger an Updated Contract
New York has been interested in Bellinger, and the team submitted a second offer to the slugger.
“The pinstripe offseason slumber could be nearing a conclusion,” Sherman wrote. “The Yankees are in conversations with the Marlins about starter Edward Cabrera. Sources have independently told colleague Jon Heyman and me, confirming a report from The Athletic.
“I also learned the Yankees have made a second offer to Cody Bellinger. Why do I think these two items might be interconnected? Because if the Yankees know they will bring Cody Bellinger back to mainly play left field with Trent Grisham in center and Aaron Judge in right, then it makes it easier for the Yankees to include Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones in a trade.”
Of course, Cabrera did get traded to the Chicago Cubs, but the Yankees could pursue other starters in trade talks. This is why the team likely needs to sign Bellinger first before making another move.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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