After a standoff that appeared unending, the New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger have agreed on a contract, in line with ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Based on Passan, the deal is 5 years and can pay Bellinger $162.5 million. The contract contains two opt-outs after the second and third seasons, whereas together with a full no-trade clause and paying Bellinger a further $20 million as a signing bonus to account for New York’s excessive revenue tax fee.
Yankees wanted Cody Bellinger somewhat than different means round
Outdoors of the reigning American League MVP, Aaron Choose, Bellinger was the Yankees’ finest participant in 2025. He had a resurgence on the plate, posting a .272 batting average with an .813 OPS, and fell one house run wanting 30. Bellinger ranked second on the Yankees in RBI (98), second in WAR (5.1) and second in hits (160).
It was solely a matter of time earlier than Bellinger returned to the Yankees, as they wanted him greater than the opposite means round. Bellinger, exterior of his offensive manufacturing, offered versatility within the area, enjoying 4 of the 9 positions: left area (85 video games), proper area (52 video games), heart area (41 video games) and first base (seven video games). Bellinger was an above-average defender with constructive defensive runs saved in proper area (23) and heart area (15).
This versatility, particularly Bellinger’s potential to play first base, will come in useful as their first baseman from final season, Paul Goldschmidt (139 video games at first), is now a free agent. Ben Rice is the one different first baseman on their roster, with Choose seemingly going again to enjoying proper area along with his elbow now additional faraway from harm. Bellinger will seemingly be the Yankees’ Opening Day first baseman.
