In a notable offseason move, the New York Yankees have secured free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger with a significant contract, marking a key addition to their roster. The agreement, confirmed Wednesday, spans five years and is worth $162.5 million, as reported by The Athletic. The deal also includes opt-out clauses for Bellinger after the second and third years, along with a full no-trade clause, according to ESPN.
For weeks, a five-year offer had been under consideration, but Bellinger had been aiming for a contract lasting up to seven years. However, the Yankees’ urgency to finalize the deal increased after the New York Mets shifted their focus to acquiring outfielder Luis Robert from the Chicago White Sox late Tuesday night, which was perceived as a potential threat to the Yankees’ hopes of signing Bellinger.
Bellinger, who joined the Yankees in December 2024 from the Chicago Cubs, had an outstanding first season with the team, boasting a .272 batting average, 29 home runs, and 98 RBIs. His performance at Yankee Stadium stood out, where he recorded a .302 batting average along with 18 homers and 55 RBIs.
The 30-year-old outfielder is the son of former Yankee Clay Bellinger and has an impressive career trajectory. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2017 and the NL MVP in 2019 during his tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over his eight major league seasons, he carries a .261 career batting average, with 225 home runs and 695 RBIs to his name.
This contract allows the Yankees to maintain their outfield alignment from last season, featuring Bellinger in left, Trent Grisham in center—who accepted a qualifying offer—and reigning two-time AL MVP Aaron Judge in right field. This strategic consistency in the lineup could bode well for the Yankees as they prepare for the upcoming season, fostering a sense of stability while continuing to build a competitive team.