Yankees' official Cody Bellinger signing revealed two odd truths

Huh. Seems like everybody who wondered whether the New York Yankees waiting so long to announce the Cody Bellinger signing meant they had something cooking may have been on to something.

The Yanks officially announced Bellinger's return on Monday evening, posting an adorable video featuring the outfielder as a child, back when he was just Clay's son, basking in a championship parade down the Canyon of Heroes. It was a perfect reminder that, while Bellinger could have theoretically taken a short-term, high-AAV offer in a different city, the Yankees were always the landing spot that made the most sense (especially when they pushed their offer to five years).

Of course, us Yankee sickos who were wondering whether they held the Belli post so they could make a high-profile trade involving Jasson Domínguez (or Spencer Jones) to clear a roster spot were not given a clear answer when the announcement went live.

Looking for a corresponding move? You're not getting one! Instead, the Yankees' 40-man roster still sits at 41, with Michael Siani firmly in place.

Additionally ... you don't have to look too closely to see that the Yankees announced Bellinger as an "infielder/outfielder". We know they prize him for his versatility. They made certain to feed that nugget to all their favorite mouthpieces during the negotiations. But ... he played four games and received 13 plate appearances at first base last season. Is that really enough to merit a mention in the press release? Or is he the "position change" Cameron Maybin was talking about?!

Yankees sign Cody Bellinger without a corresponding 40-man roster move, announce him as an infielder?

The issue with the Yankees potentially trading Domínguez isn't a problem of prospect hugging, but rather of return value. Who, on the market, would be worth sacrificing your future outfield depth in exchange for, especially after MacKenzie Gore, Edward Cabrera, and Freddy Peralta have all found other new homes? If it's a deal for a controllable, Scott Effross-y reliever, we riot — especially since Trent Grisham is on a one-year pact and the post-2026 outfield is still remarkably unsettled.

Who knows? Maybe it's a Ben Rice trade, and "infielder/outfielder" Cody Bellinger is planning a more permanent transition to the infield grass.

The Yankees probably had no idea how important learning about Braden Shewmake's corresponding DFA would've been to a certain sect of this fanbase. Keeping the sickos (it's me, I'm sicko) in the dark was their most devious move yet this winter.