The New York Yankees are at it again. Just when you think the Bronx Bombers might be licking their wounds after losing superstar Juan Soto to the Mets—of all teams—they swing right back with a big move.
And this one’s got a nice little storyline baked in. Cody Bellinger is heading to New York in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, and let’s be real: This move is dripping with potential and just a dash of nostalgia.
Let’s break it down: the Yankees are getting Bellinger and $5 million in cash considerations and sending right-hander Cody Poteet over to the Cubs. Financially, it’s a bit of a dance. Bellinger is set to make $27.5 million in 2025 and has a player option for $25 million in 2026.
The Cubs are chipping in $2.5 million toward that hefty 2025 salary, with the other $2.5 million earmarked for either a contract buyout if Bellinger decides to test the waters or to help cover his 2026 salary if he sticks around.
Deal Makes Sense For The Yankees
Let’s talk about why this makes sense for the Yankees. Bellinger’s no stranger to big-time expectations—he did win the 2019 NL MVP. He crushed 47 homers, hit .305, and looked like a future cornerstone for the Dodgers that year. But, baseball being baseball, his next few years were rocky. Injuries and inconsistency left him struggling to find his groove.
Then, in 2023, Bellinger put up a comeback campaign with the Cubs: a solid .266 average, 18 home runs, and 78 RBIs. These are not MVP numbers, but they are more than enough to show he has plenty left in the tank.
And let’s not overlook the Bellinger family connection here. Cody’s dad, Clay Bellinger, won two World Series rings with the Yankees during the dynasty run from 1999 to 2001. It’s a nice little full-circle moment, and you can bet Yankees fans are going to eat that up.
This move also hits a sweet spot for the Yankees in terms of versatility. Bellinger can play center field, left field, or even first base. That flexibility gives the Yankees options. Maybe they slot Bellinger in center, letting Jasson Dominguez develop at his own pace.
Maybe they use him at first base, especially with Anthony Rizzo hitting free agency. They could still make a play for someone like Pete Alonso or Christian Walker. The point is: options, baby, options.
And let’s not ignore what this trade signals. The Yankees are not messing around. They’ve already snagged left-handed ace Max Fried and All-Star closer Devin Williams this offseason. Losing Juan Soto hurt, no doubt about it. But instead of wallowing, the Yankees are reloading. They’ve got their eyes on that next championship.
Why The Cubs Traded Bellinger
This trade is all about freeing up payroll and retooling for the Cubs. They went 83-79 last year, solid but not spectacular. Bellinger’s salary was a big commitment, and by moving him, they’ve got a little more flexibility to improve the roster.
Cody Poteet might not be a household name, but he’s shown flashes of potential with a 2.22 ERA in limited action this year. Plus, the Cubs spent months negotiating just how much cash to include in this deal, so you know they were serious about making this work on their terms.
The bottom line is that the Yankees are doing what they do best: making headlines and keeping themselves right in the thick of contention. Cody Bellinger has a lot to prove, and what better stage to do it on than Yankee Stadium? This trade has all the ingredients for drama, excitement, and maybe another run at that elusive championship.
