Yankees acquire Bellinger from Cubs
The New York Yankees acquired former MVP Cody Bellinger and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for reliever Cody Poteet, the team announced Tuesday.
Chicago is sending $5 million to New York, according to Jack Curry of YES Network.
Bellinger, 29, is owed $27.5 million in 2025 and has a $25 million player option for 2026. He declined to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract earlier this offseason.
Half of the $5 million being sent to New York will go toward Bellinger's 2025 salary, while the rest will cover either his 2026 salary or buyout if he doesn't exercise his player option, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan reports.
Bellinger slashed .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs in 130 games played for the Cubs in 2024. He won the 2019 NL MVP award with the Los Angeles Dodgers and owns a .818 OPS (120 OPS+) for his career.
New York has told Bellinger he'll play center field while Aaron Judge moves back to right, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Bellinger's father, Clay, won two World Series titles with the Yankees during his three-year stint with the team from 1999 to 2001. They will become the fourth father-son duo to play for New York, according to Sarah Langs.
Poteet, meanwhile, recorded a 2.22 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in five appearances (four starts) with the Yankees in 2024.
The Yankees have been busy since losing Juan Soto in free agency to the cross-town New York Mets: They've traded for closer Devin Williams and signed Max Fried to an eight-year contract.
The Cubs had reportedly been looking to move one of Bellinger or Seiya Suzuki all offseason, especially after acquiring Kyle Tucker.
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