The New York Yankees are riding high in 2025, with Aaron Judge leading an offense that’s among the best in baseball, even without ace Gerrit Cole, who’s sidelined for the season after Tommy John surgery. Aaron Boone’s squad has leaned into its bats, and it’s paying off—Judge is having a historic year, and a recent series win over the Baltimore Orioles proves this team’s got firepower. But here’s the catch: the Yankees might have too much talent, especially in the outfield, and it’s creating a logjam that’s got GM Brian Cashman facing some tough choices. With Jasson Dominguez making waves but stuck behind Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton nearing a return from injury, New York’s got a surplus of stars and not enough spots. Trading Bellinger, the 29-year-old former NL MVP, could clear the way for Dominguez while addressing other roster needs—like bolstering the bullpen or rotation. Here’s why three teams could be in the mix to land Bellinger and how it could reshape the Yankees’ path to October redemption.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves were banking on Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris II, and Ronald Acuña Jr. forming a dynamite outfield, but two months into 2025, things aren’t clicking. Kelenic’s been sent to the minors, and while Acuña’s return is looming, Atlanta’s hovering around .500 in the NL East, desperate for a spark. Bellinger, who’s been red-hot for the Yankees (posting a .304 AVG and .912 OPS over his last 15 games), could be the answer in left field. His lefty swing would add balance to a lineup that’s underperformed, and while he’s not the defender Alex Verdugo is, his bat—8 homers and an .822 OPS through 46 games—brings way more pop. For the Yankees, trading Bellinger opens left field for Dominguez, who’s hitting .333/.433/.750 in May with a 169 wRC+ against righties. The Braves’ surplus of starting pitching, especially with Spencer Strider back, could tempt Cashman. Imagine a deal bringing a young arm like AJ Smith-Shawver to New York—suddenly, the rotation looks a lot deeper, and Dominguez gets to shine every day.
Kansas City Royals
The AL Central is a dogfight, with the Royals, Guardians, and Tigers all in the postseason hunt. Kansas City’s got Bobby Witt Jr. tearing it up, but their outfield’s been a weak link, dragging down an offense that needs another gear to win the division. Bellinger sliding into left would give Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino a legit running mate, his 2 HRs and 1.013 OPS in his last five games showing he’s ready to make an impact. The Royals’ bullpen, though, is where things get interesting for a trade. New York’s relief corps, even with new closer Devin Williams, has been shaky in 2025. Kansas City’s got arms like James McArthur or Hunter Harvey who could intrigue Boone, stabilizing a pen that’s struggled to lock down games. The catch? The Royals don’t have much else the Yankees might want, so any deal would likely hinge on Cashman prioritizing bullpen help over other assets. For Dominguez, it’s a clear path to everyday at-bats, letting the 22-year-old’s .854 OPS in recent weeks take center stage.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds came into 2025 with big dreams after Elly De La Cruz’s breakout, but the NL Central’s a meat grinder, with the Brewers, Cardinals, and Cubs all within six games of first place. Cincinnati’s offense is top-heavy, and outfielder Luke Raley’s been a weak spot. Bellinger, with his proven power (8 HRs, 20 RBIs), would be a massive upgrade, either pushing Raley to the bench or shifting Spencer Steer to right. At 29, he’s young enough to grow with this core, giving the Reds the pop they need to climb the standings. For the Yankees, a trade could net pitching help—say, a young arm like Hunter Greene or Nick Lodolo—to shore up a rotation hit hard by Cole’s absence. Dominguez would slide into left, his recent .324/.407/.541 line against righties making a strong case for regular playing time. Plus, with Rece Hinds already making noise (2 HRs in six games), the Reds might be willing to part with a pitcher to balance their roster.
The Yankees’ “problem” is a good one—too many studs, not enough spots. Bellinger’s trade value is sky-high after his hot start, and moving him could unlock Dominguez’s potential while addressing holes in the bullpen or rotation. Posts on X show fans buzzing about the outfield’s depth, with some calling the Judge-Bellinger-Dominguez-Trent Grisham rotation a “pretty good problem.” But with Stanton’s return looming, Cashman’s got to make a move. Whether it’s Atlanta’s pitching depth, Kansas City’s relievers, or Cincinnati’s young arms, a Bellinger trade could be the key to fine-tuning a roster built to erase last year’s World Series heartbreak. Boone’s got the offense humming—now it’s about finding the right deal to make this team unstoppable.
