After a standoff that appeared unending, the New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger have agreed on a contract, in line with ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
In accordance with Passan, the deal is 5 years and pays Bellinger $162.5 million. The contract consists of two opt-outs after the second and third seasons, whereas together with a full no-trade clause and paying Bellinger a further $20 million as a signing bonus to account for New York’s excessive revenue tax charge.
Yankees wanted Cody Bellinger fairly than different approach round
Exterior of the reigning American League MVP, Aaron Decide, Bellinger was the Yankees’ greatest participant in 2025. He had a resurgence on the plate, posting a .272 batting average with an .813 OPS, and fell one residence run wanting 30. Bellinger ranked second on the Yankees in RBI (98), second in WAR (5.1) and second in hits (160).
It was solely a matter of time earlier than Bellinger returned to the Yankees, as they wanted him greater than the opposite approach round. Bellinger, outdoors of his offensive manufacturing, supplied versatility within the subject, enjoying 4 of the 9 positions: left subject (85 video games), proper subject (52 video games), heart subject (41 video games) and first base (seven video games). Bellinger was an above-average defender with optimistic defensive runs saved in proper subject (23) and heart subject (15).
This versatility, particularly Bellinger’s capability to play first base, will come in useful as their first baseman from final season, Paul Goldschmidt (139 video games at first), is now a free agent. Ben Rice is the one different first baseman on their roster, with Decide seemingly going again to enjoying proper subject together with his elbow now additional faraway from damage. Bellinger will seemingly be the Yankees’ Opening Day first baseman.
