In a move that has fans buzzing, the New York Yankees have successfully secured their top free-agent target, Cody Bellinger, in a lucrative five-year deal worth $162.5 million. This agreement was confirmed on Wednesday by a source close to the discussions, who requested to remain anonymous due to the pending physical examination required for the contract's finalization.
Bellinger will receive a substantial signing bonus of $20 million, which is set to be paid out on April 1. Over the first two years of this contract, he will earn $32.5 million, followed by $25.8 million in each of the subsequent two seasons, and rounding out the contract with $25.9 million in 2030. Notably, he has been granted a full no-trade clause, giving him significant control over his future with the team.
An interesting aspect of the contract is Bellinger’s right to opt out after either the 2027 or 2028 seasons, allowing him the opportunity to explore free agency once again. However, if the league experiences a work stoppage that prevents any games from being played in 2027, the timelines for these opt-outs will be adjusted to follow the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
Cody Bellinger, a two-time All-Star, joined the Yankees following a trade from the Chicago Cubs in December 2024. In his previous season, he showcased his exceptional talent by achieving a batting average of .272, with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs. His performance at Yankee Stadium was particularly impressive, hitting .302 with 18 homers and 55 RBIs. Last year marked his first full season since 2022 without any injury-related setbacks, as he played 149 games in the outfield and took on seven games at first base.
It's worth noting that Bellinger comes from a baseball family; he is the son of former Yankees player Clay Bellinger.
A standout in his early career, Bellinger was honored as the National League Rookie of the Year in 2017 and claimed the NL MVP title in 2019. Across his eight seasons in Major League Baseball, which includes time with the Los Angeles Dodgers (from 2018 to 2022) and the Cubs (2023-2024), he has maintained a career batting average of .261, hitting a total of 225 home runs and driving in 695 RBIs.
Prior to his new arrangement with the Yankees, Bellinger had earned $57.5 million from a three-year contract worth $80 million with the Cubs that included a buyout option. He opted for a $5 million buyout rather than a $25 million option for the 2026 season.
As this story develops, many fans are left wondering: is this contract a wise investment for the Yankees, and how will Bellinger perform under the pressure of such expectations? Share your thoughts!
