On Tuesday, the New York Yankees acquired outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet, with the Cubs also sending $5 million as part of the deal.
Bellinger, 29, is the son of Clay Bellinger, who helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000. The versatile outfielder could play center field in 2025, with Aaron Judge returning to his position in right field after Juan Soto’s departure to the Mets. Additionally, Bellinger offers the Yankees the flexibility to play first base, a position left vacant by the free-agent departure of Anthony Rizzo.
Bellinger is set to earn $27.5 million in 2025 as part of a three-year, $80 million contract, which includes two player options. The first option is for 2026 at $25 million, with a $5 million buyout payable in installments in January 2026 and 2027.
In 2024, Bellinger played 130 games, hitting .266 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs, and was briefly sidelined with a broken right rib in April. He finished the season strong, driving in 33 RBIs in his final 39 games, though the Cubs ended with an 83-79 record.
Bellinger debuted in the majors in 2017 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and spent his first six seasons there. He was named NL MVP in 2019 after hitting .305 with 47 homers and 115 RBIs. He was also a key contributor to the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship. After being released by the Dodgers in 2022, he signed a one-year, $17.5 million deal with the Cubs and bounced back, hitting .307 with 26 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 20 steals in 130 games in 2023.
Over his career, Bellinger has played 1,005 games, compiling a .259 batting average, 196 home runs, and 597 RBIs. He will turn 30 in July.
Poteet, 30, made his MLB debut with Miami in 2021 and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022. After recovering, he pitched for the Kansas City Royals’ Triple-A Omaha team in late 2023. He was released by the Royals and signed by the Yankees in January 2024. Poteet had an impressive season with the Yankees’ Triple-A team, going 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in five appearances, although he missed several months due to a right triceps strain.
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