The New York Yankees have made a significant move by acquiring outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. This trade comes as a strategic response to the recent departure of outfielder Juan Soto, who joined the New York Mets as a free agent. In addition to Bellinger, the Cubs are sending cash considerations to New York as part of the deal, while the Yankees will trade right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet to the Cubs to finalize the transaction.
Under the terms of the trade, the Yankees will receive $5 million from the Cubs to help manage Bellinger’s salary. This season, Bellinger is set to earn $27.5 million, with a player option worth $25 million for 2026. Of that amount, the Cubs will contribute $2.5 million this season, leaving another $2.5 million to either fund a contract buyout or contribute to Bellinger’s salary for 2026 if he chooses to exercise his option.
At 29 years old, Bellinger has proven to be a valuable player, having won the National League MVP award in 2019. He struggled for a few seasons but bounced back this year, posting a solid performance with the Cubs, hitting .266 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs. His previous contract with Chicago, worth three years and $80 million, reflects his potential and the expectations surrounding him.
The Yankees have been active this off-season, also signing left-handed starter Max Fried and acquiring All-Star closer Devin Williams, aiming to compete for a World Series title after their recent loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bellinger provides much-needed versatility, capable of playing center field or left field, and excels as a defensive first baseman. This flexibility adds depth to the Yankees’ lineup, which is crucial after losing Soto.
For the Cubs, trading Bellinger was part of a broader strategy to ease payroll constraints and improve a team that finished with an 83-79 record last year. The negotiations between the two teams focused on the financial aspects of the trade, ultimately agreeing on the $5 million compensation and sending Poteet, who has shown promise with a career ERA of 3.80 over three seasons.
In a separate transaction, the Cubs also traded catcher Matt Thaiss to the Chicago White Sox for additional cash considerations, indicating a shift in their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
This trade can be seen as a positive development for both teams. The Yankees enhance their roster with an MVP-caliber player who has shown a recent resurgence, while the Cubs are positioning themselves to reshape their team for future success. As teams gear up for another competitive season, the focus on strategic trades and signings continues to shape the dynamics of Major League Baseball.