Cody Bellinger makes his feelings known after getting joining Yankees via trade from Cubs
Cody Bellinger completed a move from the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees a couple of years before the end of his three-year contract extension. The 29-year-old pledged his allegiance to the Bombers in his first message after being traded.
On Instagram, Bellinger posted a picture of himself in a photo edited to feature the outfielder in the pinstripes. He stated that he was pleased to don the iconic pinstripes and was ready for the challenge ahead.
"Honored to wear the pinstripes, ready and excited to get to work!! Let’s goooooo #NY," Bellinger wrote.
Bellinger was on the trade block for most of the offseason leading up to his move. But the size of his contract was a concern for the Cubies to move him. Last year, they gave him a three-year contract for $80 million after he bounced back to form in 2023.
There were opt-outs at the end of every season. With a .266 batting average and 19-home-run season, Bellinger declined the opt-out, thus prompting the Cubs to trade him. The organization had to eat up some of his contract.
As per the deal struck with New York, Chicago will pay $2.5 million of his salary in 2025 and pay either $5 million if he opts out or $2.5 million of his salary in 2026. Thus, the Yankees will have to pay a total of $47.5 million if they keep Bellinger through the 2026 season.
Where does Cody Bellinger slot in the Yankees' plans?
Quite understandably, Cody Bellinger becomes a like-for-like outfielder replacement for Juan Soto in the lineup. The Yanks were unable to sign Soto, who would sign with the Mets after they offered him a $760 million, 16-year contract.
But Bellinger's versatility of biding time both in center field and at first base makes him a viable solution to the Yanks. They suffered defensively in both positions, with Aaron Judge struggling to match league standards in CF while Anthony Rizzo played in the corner infield position.
Rizzo has since been let go in free agency, with the Yankees actively looking in the market for a first baseman. But if Bellinger were to come close to, if not, his 2019 NL MVP production, then he could become their regular 1B with Judge staying in center field. If needed, the team could also rotate between Judge, Bellinger and a new 1B if they are able to add a big name like Pete Alonso.