After weeks of anticipation, Cody Bellinger has inked a new five-year deal with the New York Yankees, solidifying his presence in their outfield. The Athletic first reported the agreement is valued at $162.5 million, also including ballsy opt-out options after the second and third years, and- you guessed it- a full no-trade clause, as per information provided by ESPN.
In the wake of the Mets making a late-night play for Luis Robert, the Yankees swooped back in for the 30-year-old slugger. Hitting .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs during his first season with the stripes - that's a solid batter's eye, folks. Bellinger, who became a household name with accolades like NL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and NL MVP in 2019 with the Dodgers, is for an outfield alignment that includes himself, Trent Grisham in center, and Aaron Judge in right, which makes sense given the strategic reach of their last season's success.
CBS News New York states Bellinger's fondness for the Yankee Stadium was evident, boasting a .302 average with 18 homers in that neck of the woods. Having also accepted a qualifiying offer, Grisham's set to take center, with the two-time AL MVP Judge locking down right field. According to the The Guardian, the decision comes after Bellinger walked away from a $25 million option for 2026 in favor of a $5 million buyout.
With a career .261 average, 225 homers, and 695 RBIs under his belt, Bellinger's previous engagement with the Chicago Cubs afforded him $57.5 million from a lucrative $80 million, three-year contract prior to the 2024 season. The expectation is that Bellinger will continue to evolve into his role, clarifying that the opt-out for after the 2027 or 2028 seasons, conferred an enticing position for re-negotiation, especially considering the sticky situation if a work stoppage were to freeze play in 2027. This nuance could potentially shift the opt-outs, according to an anonymous source cited by The Guardian.
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