The Cubs have traded former MVP Cody Bellinger to the Yankees, the teams announced Tuesday night. The move, which will also see the Yankees send right-handed reliever Cody Poteet to the Cubs, is a cost-saving move for Chicago; the Yankees are paying all but $5 million of Bellinger’s salary for his 2025 season and either 2026 or a buyout according to Jim Bowden of CBS Sports HQ.
The Yankees lost to Juan Soto in free agency a little over a week ago and Bellinger is trying to recoup some of that lost production. There is reason to believe he will be a great fit for the Yankeestoo (and not just because his father, Clay, won two World Series titles in pinstripes). Since Soto chose the Mets, the Bombers have also added ace Max Fried and stud closer Devin Williams to the roster.
Bellinger, 29, won Rookie of the Year in 2017 and MVP in 2019 before suffering a slowdown in production due at least in part to injuries. His value bottomed out at -1.7 WAR in 2021. In 2022 with the Dodgers, he hit .210/.265/.389 (81 OPS+) with 1.4 WAR, then hit free agency. He signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in hopes of reestablishing his value during the 2023 season.
He did it. In 130 games in 2023, Bellinger hit .307/.356/.525 (139 OPS+) with 29 doubles, 26 homers, 97 RBIs, 95 runs, 20 steals and 4.4 WAR. The hope then was for a big payday, but Bellinger ended up having to return to the Cubs during spring training on a one-year deal with two player options.
Last season, Bellinger again played exactly 130 games, hitting .266/.325/.426 (111 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 18 home runs, 78 RBIs, 72 runs, nine stolen bases and 2.2 WAR. He decided not to pursue free agency again and instead exercised his $27.5 million player option. He has another player option for next season at $25 million. There is a buyout on this option for $5 million, meaning a minimum of $32.5 million goes to Bellinger here and the Cubs only pay $5 million.
As such, it’s a pay cut for the Cubs, who traded for superstar right fielder Kyle Tucker last week.
Poteet, 30, had a 2.22 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 24 â…“ innings for the Yankees last season. He missed much of the season with a triceps injury.
The Yankees appear to still have some work to do with the roster. They could use Bellinger in center field with Aaron Judge in right and Jasson DomÃnguez in left field, but that leaves Ben Rice at first base. They might play Bellinger at first, but then it looks like Trent Grisham at center field. Jazz Chisholm Jr. could still return to the outfield as well, but that leaves second or third base open.
Basically, Bellinger’s ability to play first base or the outfield is a big help to the Yankees, but they still have one or two holes to fill.
The Cubs shouldn’t be done moving things around, either. The outfield/DH is currently covered by Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Tucker and Seiya Suzuki. Third base is currently clear to future rookie Matt Shaw, but he could also move to second if the Cubs decide to trade Nico Hoerner. The money freed up from the Bellinger trade could also be used for pitching.
Ultimately, this deal is a help for both teams, provided they remain aggressive afterward.
