Outfielder Cody Bellinger was traded to the New York Yankees from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet.
As part of the trade, the Cubs will send $5 million to the Yankees.
Bellinger, 29, whose father, Clay, helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000, might play center field next season, with Aaron Judge returning to right field after Juan Soto’s move to the Mets. Bellinger can also play first base, which became available when Anthony Rizzo became a free agent.
Bellinger is set to make $27.5 million in 2025 as part of his $80 million, three-year contract, with two player options. He also has a $25 million player option for 2026 with a $5 million buyout that will be paid in two equal installments on January 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
This year, Bellinger batted .266 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 130 games. He spent some time on the injured list from April 24 to May 7 due to a broken right rib.
In the final 39 games of the season, he drove in 33 runs, but Chicago finished with an 83-79 record.
Bellinger made his MLB debut in 2017 and played for the Los Angeles Dodgers for his first six seasons. He was named the NL MVP in 2019, hitting .305 with 47 homers and 115 RBIs in 156 games. He also helped the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series.
The Dodgers released him in November 2022, and he signed a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Cubs in December. He had a great season with Chicago, hitting a career-best .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs, and 20 steals in 130 games last year.
Bellinger has a career batting average of .259 with 196 homers and 597 RBIs over 1,005 games. He will turn 30 in July.
Poteet, 30, made his MLB debut with Miami in 2021, underwent Tommy John surgery on August 17, 2022, and returned to the mound with Kansas City’s Triple-A Omaha team on September 23, 2023.
After being released by the Royals, he signed with the Yankees in January. This season, he went 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance, despite being sidelined from June 12 to September 25 due to a strained right triceps.
