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The New York Yankees have taken a big turn when it comes to free agency.
The Yankees and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger have agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million contract, according to multiple reports. The deal includes opt-outs 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 NL MVP was a perfect fit.
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New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) leaves the field after ending the first inning with a sliding catch against the Toronto Blue Jays in 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 homers and 98 RBIs in 152 games while playing solid defense in left field, where he primarily played. Bellinger also played center field, right field and first base.
After his strong 2025, he opted out of the final year of his contract and entered free agency.
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Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees watches his solo home run against Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane Baz during the first inning of a baseball game in Tampa, Florida, 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 National League Rookie of the Year and MVP two seasons later. However, Bellinger’s play dipped after winning the World Series in the 2020 season, and the Dodgers did not tender him in 2022.
The two-time All-Star then signed a one-year, $17.5 million contract with a mutual option for 2024 with the Cubs as he looked to bounce back. During this 2023 season, Bellinger certainly bounced back, hitting .307 with 26 homers and 97, winning 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 in the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in New York, New York, September 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Bellinger opted out after that season, testing free agency after his big season, and signed 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 RBIs, so he refused to opt out of his deal and was subsequently traded to the Yankees.
With Bellinger back in the fold, the Yankees appear settled 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 occupy center field with Bellinger in left.
