Yankees Shift Focus to Free Agent Market for New First Baseman

As trade talks with the Chicago Cubs for two-time All-Star Cody Bellinger hit a stalemate, the New York Yankees are turning their attention to the free agent market in search of a new starting first baseman.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees are now in contract discussions with several top free agent first basemen: Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana, and Paul Goldschmidt. The Yankees, previously linked to Bellinger during the 2023 trade deadline and the ensuing offseason, had engaged in trade talks with the Cubs for the slugger. Bellinger, who can play both first base and outfield, seemed like a perfect fit for the Yankees, especially with his left-handed swing tailor-made for Yankee Stadium's short right-field porch. Not to mention, his father won two World Series with the Yankees in the 1990s.

However, negotiations stalled over how much of Bellinger’s $52.5 million contract the two sides would each cover. As a result, the Yankees are shifting their focus to the free agent market.

Pete Alonso, a four-time All-Star represented by Scott Boras, is a prime target for the Yankees. While he will likely attract significant interest from the Mets, his current team, Alonso would be a substantial offensive upgrade for the Yankees. Christian Walker, a three-time Gold Glove winner with 95 home runs since 2022, represents a solid two-way player, offering both offensive and defensive value.

On the more cost-effective side, Carlos Santana, at 38 years old, brings a career .354 on-base percentage and a patient batting approach that could benefit the Yankees lineup. Paul Goldschmidt, the 2022 National League MVP and a four-time Gold Glove recipient, offers proven production despite a slight decline in recent performance.