Yankees make another stunning trade for former MVP Cody Bellinger from Cubs after losing out on Juan Soto
The New York Yankees have secured Cody Bellinger in a trade from the Chicago Cubs.
The Bronx Bombers continued to launch their Plan-B offensive Tuesday in the devastating wake of losing Juan Soto to crosstown rivals the New York Mets earlier this month.
Bellinger was traded to the Yankees in a deal with the Cubs, New York confirmed on Tuesday.
The Cubs are also reportedly sending $5million to the Yankees for salary relief, and will receive right-handed reliever Cody Poteet in return.
Bellinger, 29, is a former MVP and has two years remaining on his contract with an opt-out after 2025.
Bellinger, whose father Clay helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000, is owed $27.5 million in 2025 under the first of two player options as part of an $80 million, three-year contract .
The New York Yankees have secured Cody Bellinger in a trade from the Chicago Cubs
The Pinstripes have continued an aggressive approach to offseason after losing Juan Soto
The two-time All-Star also has a $25 million player option for 2026 with a $5 million buyout that would be payable in equal installments on January 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
Bellinger, who plays first base and center field, won Rookie of the Year in 2017 and MVP in 2019 before suffering a downturn in production that was due at least in part by injuries. He also helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win a World Series title in 2020.
He was cut by the Dodgers in November 2022 and signed a $17.5 million, one-year deal with Chicago a month later, where he regained his form.
Last season, in 130 games, Bellinger hit .266/.325/.426 (111 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 18 homers, 78 RBI, 72 runs and nine stolen bases. He was on the injured list from April 24 to May 7 with a broken right rib.
Earlier this month, it had appeared that the Yankees’ chances of returning to the World Series had taken a sever hammering.
The Pinstripes lost the multi-million-dollar dogfight to retain Soto’s signature when the Mets – and owner Steve Cohen’s endless riches – stole the Dominican star on a 15-year, $765million deal, the richest in sports history.
But, now free to spend massive amounts of money on multiple players, Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman and co. have bounced back in style.
The Bellinger trade comes after the Yankees also acquired relief pitcher Devin Williams.
The two-time All-Star won a World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
Nicknamed The Airbender, Williams made his big-league debut in 2019 and has only previously played for the Brewers in MLB.
He was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023 and was named the National League’s Reliever of the Year in 2020 and last year.
There had been suggestions that Bellinger could be on the move after the Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros last week, sparking rumors that they could be shopping the former MVP around.
However, Bellinger’s arrival in the Bronx could cause a slight awkward tension in the Yankees clubhouse as his now-fiancee Chase Carter, reportedly used to date Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
