A Rocky Start for a Blockbuster Addition

The New York Yankees’ 2025 season began with high hopes and a retooled roster, but one headline-grabbing acquisition has not delivered as expected. Cody Bellinger, brought in to help fill the void left by Juan Soto’s departure, has struggled mightily at the plate, leaving manager Aaron Boone facing tough decisions and, reportedly, sleepless nights as he contemplates the future of his lineup.

Bellinger’s Struggles: By the Numbers

Bellinger, a former MVP and the 2023 National League Comeback Player of the Year, was expected to bring both power and athleticism to the Yankees’ outfield. Instead, his early season numbers have been alarming. Through his first 79 at-bats, Bellinger has slashed just .177/.236/.291, with only two home runs and 21 strikeouts. His on-base plus slugging (OPS) has hovered around .570, a far cry from the production the Yankees envisioned when they acquired him.

Despite these struggles, Boone has kept Bellinger in the heart of the order, usually batting him third, hoping that the left-handed hitter would provide protection for Aaron Judge and take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch. However, Bellinger’s inability to make hard contact has repeatedly stalled rallies, and his presence in a key run-producing spot has become a liability for the team.

Injuries and Illness Compound the Problem

Bellinger’s rocky start has not been helped by a series of health issues. He has missed games due to a sore back and a bout of food poisoning, further disrupting his rhythm and making it difficult for him to find consistency at the plate. Manager Boone has been forced to rest Bellinger during critical stretches, including a grueling 13-game run without an off day, as the outfielder continues to receive treatment for his back.

Boone’s Dilemma: To Move or Not to Move?

The mounting pressure has led to increased scrutiny of Boone’s lineup decisions. When asked about the possibility of moving Bellinger down in the order, Boone offered a cryptic but telling response: “We’ll see. I’ll consider everything. Still expecting him to end up hitting somewhere in the middle of the lineup. But yeah. You can always tinker with things as you move forward, depending on what you’ve got that day”.

Boone’s patience is rooted in Bellinger’s track record—his ability to rebound from adversity, as seen in his 2023 comeback season. However, with the Yankees competing in a highly competitive AL East and every game counting, the margin for error is slim. Boone’s commitment to Bellinger in the top third of the lineup is being tested by the team’s need for immediate production.

Team Impact and the Road Ahead

While Bellinger’s defense has remained solid, the Yankees’ offense has been carried by other newcomers like Paul Goldschmidt and Max Fried, as well as mainstays like Aaron Judge. The team’s pitching staff has also faced challenges, with injuries to key starters putting additional pressure on the offense to perform.

The question now is how long Boone can afford to wait for Bellinger to break out of his slump. With alternatives like Trent Grisham performing well in limited opportunities, the calls for a lineup shakeup are growing louder. Boone’s next move could define the Yankees’ season—and determine whether Bellinger’s tenure in pinstripes is remembered for a triumphant turnaround or a costly miscalculation.

Conclusion

Cody Bellinger’s early-season woes have put Aaron Boone in an unenviable position, forcing the Yankees’ manager to weigh loyalty against results. As the pressure mounts and the team’s playoff hopes hang in the balance, Boone’s sleepless nights may only be beginning. The baseball world will be watching closely to see if Bellinger can rediscover his form—or if Boone will be forced to make the difficult decision to move him down the lineup in pursuit of victory.