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Batting ninth in the dream 2024 Astros lineup, Cody Bellinger in CF
Finally, batting ninth for the dream 2024 Houston Astros is Cody Bellinger. It is pretty well documented that the Astros would like an outfield upgrade and while Chas McCormick and Mauricio Dubon did an admirable job in 2023, Bellinger is just the superior choice.
After really struggling from 2020-2022, Bellinger had a huge comeback season in 2023 with the Cubs. He slashed .307/.356/.525 with 26 homers this season to make the one year deal he inked with Chicago an absolute bargain. His play this year took him from potentially being out of the league soon to being in line for a nine figure payday this offseason.
In a traditional lineup, batting Bellinger ninth wouldn't make sense. However, this arrangement gives the Astros a strong lefty hitting ahead of the top of the lineup in most innings, lengthens the lineup considerably, and protects against the possibility that Bellinger turns back into a pumpkin again at the plate. Having a former NL MVP batting ninth for your squad is certainly a luxury, but that is what offseason dreaming is for.
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