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The New York Yankees have made a big turn in free agency.
The Yankees and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million contract, according to multiple reports. The deal includes exit options after the second and third seasons, a $20 million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause, according to the report.
The Yankees acquired Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in a trade last offseason, and the 2019 National League MVP was a perfect fit.
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New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) runs off the field after ending the first inning with a sliding catch against the Toronto Blue Jays during Game 4 of the ALDS round of the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, on October 8, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Bellinger, 30, hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 152 games while playing strong defense in left field, where he primarily played. Bellinger also played center field, right field and first base.
After his solid 2025, he opted out of the final year of his contract and hit free agency.
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New York Yankees’ Cody Bellinger watches his solo home run off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane Baz during the first inning of a baseball game in Tampa, Florida, on August 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Bellinger began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and burst onto the scene, winning the National League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards two seasons later. However, Bellinger’s play dropped after winning the World Series in the 2020 season, and the Dodgers non-tendered him in 2022.
The two-time All-Star then signed a one-year, $17.5 million deal with a mutual option for 2024 with the Cubs as he looked to recover. In that 2023 season, Bellinger certainly bounced back, hitting .307 with 26 home runs and 97, earning a Silver Slugger Award.
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Aaron Judge (99) of the New York Yankees celebrates with Cody Bellinger, right, after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in New York, New York, on September 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Bellinger opted out after that season, testing free agency after his breakout season and signing a three-year, $80 million contract with the Cubs that included two opt-outs. In 2024, Bellinger took a step back and hit .266 with 18 home runs and 78 RBI, so he refused to opt out of his deal and was later traded to the Yankees.
With Bellinger back in the fold, the Yankees appear to be ready in the outfield. Reigning two-time American League MVP Aaron Judge will be in right field, while Trent Grisham, who signed the team’s one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, will be in center field with Bellinger in left.
