Cody Bellinger and Kiké Hernández both played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2017-20. As teammates, Bellinger and Hernández became World Series champions in 2020.

Bellinger was eventually non-tendered by the Dodgers in 2022 and picked up by the Chicago Cubs at the end of the offseason. However, Bellinger didn’t leave the organization without picking up a skill from Hernández.

As Bellinger prepares to join the third team of his career, the New York Yankees, he shared with manager Aaron Boone that he willing to play practically anywhere.

“I told [Boone] that wherever you need me to play, I’ll play,” Bellinger said at his introductory press conference. “Whether it’s left, center, or if [Aaron] Judge gets a DH day, I’ll play right. If you need me at first, I’ll play first. I enjoy doing that stuff. I think it helps the teams that I’m on win.”

He revealed that he learned that skill from Hernández.

“I learned a lot from Kiké Hernández,” Bellinger said. “He’s probably one of the best players I’ve seen at being able to roam all around the field and just be above-average or excellent in all the positions he plays. I got to see how it’s possible, and I knew that I had the ability to do it.”

Hernández left the Dodgers in 2021 and became an everyday starter with the Boston Red Sox. The utility man eventually returned to Los Angeles where he put his skills to good use, playing where he was needed on a star-studded roster.

The beauty of Hernández is he can play almost every position at a high level. If Freddie Freeman needs a day of rest, Hernández can fill in. If Max Muncy goes down, Hernández can fill in. There aren’t many players in the majors that are as versatile as Hernández. Additionally, there really isn’t anybody that can flip a switch the way Hernández does in October.

While Bellinger joins the Bombers, the fate of Hernández in free agency remains unknown. However, the utility man has shared he hopes to return to Los Angeles.

“Main priority for me would probably be coming back,” Hernández said via The Shop. “I think this team, the Dodgers are very well positioned to make another run and be the first back to back team since the New York Yankees in ’99 and 2000. If not them, then somewhere where the team is positioned to go on a deep run in October, because I need to have October baseball. That’s part of who I am. I’m kind of addicted to playoff baseball and I need that in my life.”