Yankees’ Cody Bellinger brings up Juan Soto after Opening Day win

Juan Soto was in Houston on Thursday getting on base thrice in 5 plate appearances within the Mets’ Opening Day loss to the Astros, so Yankees captain Aaron Decide was again hitting second and again enjoying proper area at Yankee Stadium for recreation one in every of 162.

Manning heart area and hitting behind Decide within the three gap was one of many two former MVPs introduced in to affix Decide, who received his second final yr.

Cody Bellinger’s first Yankee recreation basically filling Soto’s huge sneakers was fairly good. Up 4 occasions, the left-handed-hitting slugger contributed a single, stroll and sacrifice fly in a 4-2 Yankees win over the Brewers.

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All of the whereas, Bellinger had a ball enjoying Opening Day within the Bronx after dreaming about it as a small boy when his father, Clay Bellinger, performed some infield and outfield for the Yankees from 1999-2002.

“Crazy emotions, man,” Bellinger stated. “Honestly, just so excited. So many nerves and a lot of butterflies, but at the end of the day you’ve just got to embrace them and understand it’s a cool experience. We came out with the ‘W,’ and that’s the most important thing.”

Including to the joy for Bellinger’s first Yankees recreation, his dad and mom are in New York for the Yankees’ season-opening sequence and had been within the stands Thursday along with his spouse and two daughters.

Requested about his father, Bellinger stated, “I saw him (Wednesday) night. I’ll see him again (Thursday night). We just had a nice little dinner … my parents, my family. They’re going to be out for a few days, so I’ll enjoy it with everyone. It was nice to get the W and really celebrate. Have some fun.”

Six days after Soto signed with the Mets, the Yankees made a one-sided commerce buying Bellinger and $5 million from the Cubs final Dec. 17 for pitcher Cody Poteet, who already has been designated for task.

The Cubs had been simply wanting eliminate a excessive wage and the Yankees had been joyful to pay $22.5 of Bellinger’s $27.5 million this yr and one other $25 million for 2026 if a participant choice is exercised.

This dedication was far lower than the $760 million that Soto turned down to affix with the Mets for $5 million extra over 15 years as an alternative of 16, so Yankees proprietor Hal Steinbrenner signed off on including two different huge contracts.

The winter roster rebuilding was highlighted by free agent left-hander Max Fried signing for $218 million over eight years the day after Soto picked the Mets. The Yankees then rapidly addressed the lineup by buying and selling for Bellinger and signing first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, one other former MVP, for one yr at $12.5 million.

Bellinger received his MVP in 2019 after a 47-homer season for the Dodgers.

Everybody is aware of this 29-year-old model of Bellinger isn’t as near the hitter that Soto is, however he’s a nonetheless a really harmful left-handed hitter, a greater baserunner, a far superior outfielder… and less expensive.

Bellinger additionally received a World Collection with the Dodgers in 2020, so he is aware of what a championship group seems like. He’s very excessive on the 2025 Yankees, who’re on a mission to win one other pennant after which go a step additional after shedding final yr’s World Collection to the Dodgers.

Bellinger feels this fashion though the Yankees misplaced Soto within the winter and so they’ve already been hit very laborious by accidents, particularly the rotation with No. 1 starter Gerrit Cole accomplished for the season and final yr’s AL Rookie of the 12 months Luis Gil out for the primary few months.

“The guys that we lost with injury, and obviously Juan, it’s no easy task,” Bellinger stated. “But I think with the guys in the locker room, the culture in this locker room, we’re here to win. That’s the end goal.

“However we may do it that night, I’m excited to be a part of that and part of this culture.”

The brand new-look Yankees received their opener with Carlos Rodon having an excellent begin, leadoff-hitting catcher Austin Wells homering within the first inning, Anthony Volpe popping one over the quick right-field porch and right into a second-row seat, and new nearer Devin Williams, albeit very shaky, closing out his outdated group for the save.

From begin to end, Bellinger tremendously loved this entire day, particularly the Yankees wanting good within the very starting of what he thinks can flip right into a particular season.

“Yeah, being 1-0 is always a great feeling,” he stated. “We’re all here for one goal, and that’s winning. I’m excited to be a part of this group.

“I think it’s going to be fun and it was good to get off to a good start.”

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Randy Miller could also be reached at [email protected].