The New York Yankees have finalized a trade to bring outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The deal, which includes the Cubs sending $5 million to the Yankees, has yet to be officially announced.
Cody Bellinger, who is 29 years old, is entering the first season of a three-year contract worth $80 million. He is set to receive $27.5 million in 2025, followed by a $25 million player option for 2026 with a $5 million buyout. Bellinger has shown promising performance, batting .266 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs over 130 games last season, despite spending a brief period on the injured list due to a rib injury.
Bellinger, who can play both first base and center field, is well-known for his prior success with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he was named the NL MVP in 2019 and contributed to the team’s 2020 World Series victory. After struggling for a time, he rebounded well last season with the Cubs, hitting a career-best .307 with 26 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 20 steals in 130 games. His career stats boast a .259 batting average with 196 home runs and 597 RBIs over 1,005 games.
Cody Poteet, the pitcher entering the trade, is also 30 years old and made his Major League debut with Miami in 2021. Following Tommy John surgery in 2022, he found his stride again in the minor leagues with Kansas City and subsequently with the Yankees, where he had a solid performance last season.
This trade represents a significant move for the Yankees as they look to bolster their roster with a player of Bellinger’s caliber, who has shown resilience and skill on the field. The decision to invest in Bellinger could pay dividends as the Yankees aim for a stronger competitive edge in the upcoming season.
Overall, this acquisition could bring renewed excitement to Yankees fans, as Bellinger’s previous accolades and potential for a breakout season may enhance the team’s performance and playoff aspirations in the future.