In a striking maneuver that reverberates through the realm of Major League Baseball, the storied New York Yankees have sealed a deal to bring outfielder Cody Bellinger into their fold, a person privy to the negotiations divulged to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The Yankees will part ways with right-hander Cody Poteet in this intriguing swap, as the excitement builds around Bellinger’s potential impact on the Yankees’ lineup.
With the details of the trade swirling, this source, wishing to remain anonymous until the official announcement, also revealed that the Chicago Cubs will funnel $5 million to the Yankees as part of the transaction, enhancing the dynamics of this midoffseason chess match.
At 29 years young, Bellinger carries a legacy within his baseball lineage—his father, Clay, played a pivotal role in securing World Series titles for the Yankees during the iconic seasons of 1999 and 2000. As it stands, Bellinger is positioned to earn $27.5 million in 2025; this figure stems from the initial option in an ambitious $80 million, three-year contract he inked. The deal also holds a tantalizing $25 million player option for 2026, paired with a $5 million buyout, payable in methodical installments come January 2026 and 2027.
In the 2023 season, Bellinger showcased his formidable talents, posting a commendable .266 batting average, complemented by 18 home runs and 78 runs batted in over the span of 130 games. His season, however, was not without its trials; a broken right rib landed him on the injured list for a spell between April 24 and May 7. Yet, his resilience shone through, as he tallied 33 RBIs in the final 39 games, although the Cubs ultimately concluded their campaign with an 83-79 record.
Bellinger, adept at maneuvering the outfield and first base, made his grand entrance into the major leagues in 2017 and spent six fruitful seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His crowning achievement came in 2019 when he snagged the National League MVP title, achieving an impressive .305 average, 47 home runs, and 115 RBIs across 156 games. His contributions also helped the Dodgers clinch the World Series in 2020.
After being released by the Dodgers in November 2022, Bellinger signed a one-year deal worth $17.5 million with the Cubs, where he rediscovered his form, boasting a career-high .307 average along with 26 homers, 97 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases in just 130 games last season. Over his career, Bellinger has maintained a .259 batting average, alongside 196 homers and 597 RBIs in 1,005 games. Fun fact: he’ll celebrate his 30th birthday this coming July!
Conversely, Cody Poteet, 30, embarked on his major league journey with the Miami Marlins back in 2021. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022, he made a steady return to form with Kansas City’s Triple-A Omaha team by late September 2023. Released by the Royals, he joined the Yankees in January. During his brief stint, he boasted an impressive 3-0 record, posting a 2.22 ERA over four starts and one relief appearance, despite experiencing a hiatus from June to September due to a right triceps strain.
As the dust settles on this noteworthy exchange, one can’t help but ponder the intriguing narratives that will unfold as Bellinger dons the famed pinstripes and aims to propel the Yankees to new heights. Will the echoes of his father’s glory emerge once more, or will the weight of expectation prove too great? Time will tell.
