Initially, I was going to include Reds first baseman, Joey Votto in the discussion but released the highs of his 2023 resurgence may be nothing more than a mirage. Instead, I want to focus on two former NL MYP’s whose fortunes had taken a turn for the worse in recent years.

Since back in the day when Alley Oop was batting third for his team, players have entered spring training hoping to recapture something they lost. More often than not, big money was involved, but could never have been the cause for the failings.

Injuries are usually blamed although never declared out right, it’s more of a latent possibility. Fans of the particular teams and players are always hoping for that miraculous turn around. Sometimes, it’s a player signing a one-year, prove-it contract and other times the player is in the middle of a long-term contract.

As I’ve mentioned too many times before, editors everywhere force their staff to compile preseason lists of “most likely to succeed”, “who is likely to be the first traded” and “who is due for a bounce back” lists. Of course, this isn’t exhaustive, but you get the picture. Every writer is forced to change their predictions and some (2 in the last 169 years) have admitted their mistakes. We’re always looking for connections, causes and effects-usually to no avail. Sometimes it’s merely coincidence.

With less than two weeks until the trade deadline, fans of NL Central teams have been hearing about trade possibilities. Some of the talk is quite disturbing for fans. While he won’t be part of any major trades, the Brewers Christian Yelich is in the middle of a rebound season. In 2018-19, he was among the best players in the league-after an unspectacular 5 seasons. After the swift and severe downturn that his career took in the following 3 seasons, one had cause to question whether there was something in the water during his MVP season and the following year (2019). It wasn’t just the drop in average and other splits, but rather he failed miserably in the clutch and looked like he was swinging in wet cement. I’m linking to his career numbers,

Christian Yelich Stats, Fantasy & News | Milwaukee Brewers (mlb.com)

In what could have been Yelich’s second MVP season, he was beaten out by Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers. After winning the NL ROTY in 2017 he put up two great seasons and seemed poised for further success. And even though he was a part of the 2020 WS championship team, his numbers were anemic. Rumors have abounded as to what was happening in L.A and led to his not being offered a contract after last season. His numbers follow.

Cody Bellinger Stats, Fantasy & News | Chicago Cubs (mlb.com)

The Cubs signed Bellinger to a one-year contract with mutual options. Because the Cubs management didn’t have much confidence in the team, the possibility of flipping him at the deadline was always in play. Listening to Jed Hoyer & Company recently, it doesn’t sound like their confidence has changed. Bellinger has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with, both on the field and in the clubhouse. It might be the change in scenery and voices. Whatever the cause, the Cubs are reaping the benefits and several of us wouldn’t mind seeing the Cubs extend with him rather than pursuing a less certain player on the free agent market.

I’m basing this on the information that is filtering out to the fans, that he is the monarch butterfly and not just some moth. The Cubs have all the data to support signing him to an extension. I’m always a little doubtful but am willing to suspend my disbelief because the press never lies.

When both of these guys are in a groove, their sweet-swings are a benefit to their teams. Left-handed power bats are a rare commodity these days-especially in the NL Central.