MLB Rumors: Yankees, Astros set for trade showdown for big-name bat

The New York Yankees and Houston Astros could be in a battle with one another yet again, this time for a big-name outfielder at the trade deadline.

The MLB trade deadline is a matter of days away, and teams have reached an important point of the season, and that’s to determine whether they are buyers or seller. Buyers will look to add to their roster to make a push for the postseason. Sellers, on the other hand, will look to trade their best players for assets to help build for the future.

For the New York Yankees and Houston Astros, they are in the Wild Card hunt. Yes, even the Yankees despite their brutal stretch with Aaron Judge sidelined, are still over .500 and in Wild Card contention. The Yankees and Astros have no love lost between one another, especially during their multiple battles in the ALCS over the years. Now, it looks as though they will be contending for one of the big bats available at the trade deadline.

In the latest roundup of MLB.com trade rumors, the Yankees and Astros have been linked to Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger.

MLB rumors: Cody Bellinger linked to Yankees, Astros ahead of trade deadline

Bellinger fills two needs for prospective teams at the deadline — he’s an outfielder, and bats left-handed. That is certainly something that the Yankees need, who had a revolving door of left-fielders this year and need some lefty bats. As for the Astros, they could certainly fill their outfield depth chart, as Yordan Alvarez is near a return after being sidelined since early June due to an oblique injury.

The Cubs signed Bellinger to a one-year, $17.5 million contract this past offseason to see if he can have a resurgence after a down couple of years. The move has paid off for the Cubs, as Bellinger is one of the team’s best hitters, and can now trade him at a high price.

This year, Bellinger recorded a .319 batting average, a .371 on-base percentage, a .539 slugging percentage, 13 home runs, 41 RBI, 52 runs scored, 81 hits, 47 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 67 games played.

As of the night of July 22, the Cubs are 47-51 on the year and sit in third place in the NL Central.

Bellinger is undoubtedly going to be a hot commodity if the Cubs opt to sell. The team will certainly be cheering for a bidding war between the Yankees and Astros. If that’s the case, the Cubs can see a potentially gigantic return of assets.