Yankees Land Cody Bellinger in Trade with Cubs
The New York Yankees acquired outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, further bolstering their roster following outfielder Juan Soto’s free-agent move to the New York Mets.
The deal also includes cash considerations from the Cubs, while the Yankees send right-hander Cody Poteet to Chicago to complete the trade.
According to sources, the Yankees will receive $5 million to offset Bellinger’s salary. The 29-year-old, set to earn $27.5 million in 2025, holds a player option worth $25 million for 2026. Of the $5 million, $2.5 million will go toward Bellinger’s salary this season, with the remainder either covering his option buyout or contributing to his 2026 salary if he opts in.
Bellinger, the 2019 National League MVP, enjoyed a resurgence in 2023 after three down seasons, hitting .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs. He joined the Cubs on a three-year, $80 million deal last offseason but chose not to exercise his opt-out option, remaining under contract through 2026. His acquisition brings a mix of power, defensive versatility, and veteran experience to a Yankees team retooling for another title push.
This trade follows the Yankees’ signing of left-handed starter Max Fried and their trade for All-Star closer Devin Williams, moves aimed at strengthening a roster coming off a World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
How Bellinger Fits in the Yankees’ Plans
Bellinger’s versatility makes him an ideal addition to New York’s lineup. As an above-average defender in center field, he can compete for time with rookie Jasson Dominguez or shift to left field if needed. Additionally, his Gold Glove-caliber defense at first base gives the Yankees flexibility as they weigh their options following Anthony Rizzo’s departure in free agency. The team could also explore other options at first base, such as Ben Rice, Pete Alonso, or Christian Walker.
At his peak, Bellinger is a middle-of-the-order force, as evidenced by his MVP campaign in 2019 when he slashed .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs. Across his eight-year career, he has posted a .259/.334/.484 slash line with 196 home runs and 597 RBIs in 1,005 games.
The Cubs had been actively shopping Bellinger throughout the winter to free up payroll after finishing the 2023 season with an 83-79 record. Negotiations over financial terms prolonged the process, but the teams ultimately agreed on a $5 million contribution from Chicago and Poteet, a 30-year-old pitcher who posted a 2.22 ERA across 24⅓ innings for New York last season.
The Cubs also made a smaller move on Tuesday, sending catcher Matt Thaiss to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations.
With Bellinger in the fold, the Yankees are gearing up for another deep postseason run, reloading their roster to compete at the highest level once again.
