LAS VEGAS – The easiest and cleanest domino to fall to set up the ideal offseason for the Yankees would be re-signing Cody Bellinger.
Of course, it would require more movements around it, but less heavy lifting than the alternative.
Because if Bellinger is ultimately a one-and-done in The Bronx, then what?
Not only does Bellinger fill a spot in the outfield — likely in center field if Trent Grisham turns down the $22.025 million qualifying offer and signs elsewhere, or in left field if he accepts it — but the left-handed hitter provides a legitimate threat to provide protection behind Aaron Judge, as he has done for most of this season.
The Yankees could see Ben Rice in that role, although Aaron Boone often had him hitting for Judge, and either way, their lineup wouldn’t be nearly as deep without another major acquisition.
Because if the Yankees fail to bring back Bellinger — The Post’s Jon Heyman has projected a six-year, $180 million contract for the 30-year-old — that likely means they’ll also lose consideration for Kyle Tucker, the top free agent position player expected to land a deal north of Judge’s $360 million contract.
And aside from Tucker and Bellinger, the free agent market isn’t exactly flooded with difference-making outfielders.
Next in line would be Grisham, who may or may not accept the qualifying offer after a breakout season, and then Harrison Bader, who has already had a mediocre restart in The Bronx.
There is always the trading market, but it is becoming more complicated.
Would missing Bellinger (and Grisham declining the offer) convince the Yankees to go the youth route, giving Jasson Domínguez another shot at an everyday role in left field and Spencer Jones a possible path to make the team out of spring training at center field?
That scenario would rely heavily on hope and potential — and come with its fair share of growing pains, as Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells have pointed out — perhaps too much for a team running out of time to capitalize on Judge’s prime.
The safer route would probably involve signing a proven midfielder like Bader, a right-hander who also hits.
The Bronxville native is known more for his glove, but is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, in which he hit .277 with a career-high 117 OPS-plus in 146 games between the Twins and Phillies.
The 31-year-old was well-liked during his time with the Yankees but also has an injury history despite staying largely healthy over the past two seasons.
The next best free agent midfielder would be either former Oriole Cedric Mullins, who is coming off the worst year of his career, or Mike Yastrzemski, the 35-year-old who might be better suited as a corner.
One option that doesn’t appear to be under consideration is moving Domínguez back to midfield.
Aaron Boone said last month that the focus was on keeping Domínguez in left field, where he is expected to play with Escogido in the Dominican Winter League after arriving there this weekend and will likely start playing games soon.
If he does, the 22-year-old is also expected to get a good dose of right-handed batting in an effort to improve his weaker side.
The benefit of bringing Bellinger back is his defensive versatility, which leaves the Yankees’ options open.
If Grisham accepts the qualifying offer, Bellinger could play left field or first base.
If Grisham turns down the offer, Bellinger could be the regular center fielder.
If Jones comes to camp and shows he can legitimately threaten for a job, the Yankees can move Bellinger around as he keeps his bat in the lineup every day.
But that also makes Bellinger, a client of Scott Boras, attractive to other teams.
His suitors could include the Dodgers, his former team, along with the Mets and Phillies (if they can’t bring back Kyle Schwarber).
The groundwork for what it will take to bring back Bellinger could start here at the general managers meetings this week, but for the Yankees the job could be even tougher if there’s no reunion on the horizon.
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