Yankees add Bellinger to off-season haul, send relief pitcher and cash to Cubs
The New York Yankees made a major move on Tuesday, acquiring first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-hander Cody Poteet. The Cubs will also send $5 million US to the Yankees as part of the trade.
Bellinger, 29, comes from a baseball family, as his father Clay helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000. Cody Bellinger is a versatile player who can play centre field, a position he may take on as Aaron Judge shifts back to right field with the departure of Juan Soto to the Mets. Bellinger can also play first base, a position left vacant by Anthony Rizzo becoming a free agent.
The Yankees have been active in the offseason, adding starting pitcher Max Fried and former Milwaukee closer Devin Williams. Bellinger is owed $27.5 million in 2025 under the first of two player options in his $80 million, three-year contract. He also has a $25 million player option for 2026 with a $5 million buyout.
In the 2024 season, Bellinger batted .266 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs in 130 games. He had a stint on the injured list due to a broken right rib but finished strong, driving in 33 runs in his last 39 games.
Bellinger made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent his first six seasons. He was the National League MVP in 2019 and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020. After being cut by the Dodgers in 2022, he signed a one-year deal with the Cubs and had a stellar season, hitting .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs, and 20 steals.
Poteet, 30, made his MLB debut with Miami in 2021, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, and joined the Yankees last January. He had a solid season, going 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in five appearances despite being sidelined with a right triceps strain.
In other news, the Cubs made a significant move by acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski, and prospect Cam Smith. Tucker, who is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, expressed openness to discussing a long-term deal with the Cubs. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer sees Tucker as a valuable addition to the team, citing his all-around abilities and impact on the roster.
As the Cubs look to strengthen their lineup and build for the future, the addition of Tucker and Bellinger signals a new era for the team as they aim to compete at the highest level in the upcoming seasons.
