Unexpected Dodgers trade rumor could (sort of) help Yankees solve Cody Bellinger dilemma

To say that the New York Yankees' offense couldn't afford to lose Cody Bellinger to injury would be an understatement. Despite Bellinger's ongoing homer-less streak and generally poor stretch (.220./303/.275 over the last 30 games), Belli was sort of starting to heat up (8-for-23) before he injured his hamstring on Saturday.

It turns out that Bellinger's ailment is of the Grade 2 variety, leading to a 4-to-6-week absence. It's atrocious news for the Yankees, given Bellinger's overall production this year and the current state of New York's injury-depleted lineup.

A Yankees club already without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will now forge ahead without Bellinger. Surely, Brian Cashman will now feel inclined to acquire some slug at the deadline, if he didn't already before the Bellinger diagnosis. There have been whispers that Cashman should go after a guy like George Springer.

But here's another name to throw at you ...

Teoscar Hernández would really help the Yankees' offense as a trade deadline addition

The World Series champ Hernández isn't necessarily available, but he's also not unavailable by any reports.

It's worth noting that MLB insider Jeff Passan threw Hernández's name out there in direct reply to a fan asking about the Yankees' potential targets. This was speculation from Passan, but still ... something to think about.

Hernández doesn't give you value defensively, but the Yankees could badly use his right-handed bat, as alluded to by Passan. No doubt, plenty of Yankees fans would welcome Hernández to the Bronx with open arms. They're very familiar with Hernández's clutch gene, which he flexed in the 2024 World Series against the Yanks by going 7-for-20 with a homer and four RBI.

Hernández strikes out a lot, but Cashman and the Yankees should feel way too desperate to care. Hernández has the championship pedigree and overall experience that would make him a great Yankee. Plus, even though it feels like he's been around forever, he's still just 33 — a tad younger than some people might realize.

It's simple: The Yankees need another right-handed bat (or two)

If Cashman wasn't interested in Hernández, or if Hernández simply wasn't available, it wouldn't change the fact that the Yanks need to add more offense at the deadline, particularly a right-handed bat. New York has been incessantly linked to righty catcher Ryan Jeffers, but it's not outrageous at all to say that the Yankees need to add more than just Jeffers.

The American League East — and the AL playoff picture in general — has way too many hopeful contenders for the Yankees to play things safe over the next few days. It's been a down year for the AL, but the Yankees haven't risen above it. Instead, they're right in the thick of the competition, and Cashman should be looking for a big move or three to help gain some separation.

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