Cody Bellinger is staying in the Bronx.
After months of speculation that had him linked to a handful of teams - including the Mets, Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Cubs - the former NL MVP has agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million deal with the New York Yankees. The contract includes a full no-trade clause, a $20 million signing bonus, and opt-outs after both the second and third seasons, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
It’s a major move for the Yankees, who had been relatively quiet this offseason. Now, they lock in one of their most productive bats from 2025 and shore up the heart of their lineup for the foreseeable future.
A Career Reboot That Paid Off
Bellinger’s journey over the past few seasons has been a roller coaster. After a rough final stretch with the Dodgers - including a 2022 campaign where he slashed .210/.265/.389 with 19 home runs and a 1.3 bWAR - it looked like the former MVP was searching for answers. His 2021 season had been even tougher, with a -1.6 bWAR and a swing that seemed completely out of sync.
At one point, Bellinger was the face of the Dodgers’ future. His 2019 MVP season was electric: smooth mechanics, elite defense, and a bat that could change a game with one swing. But injuries, mechanical tweaks, and confidence issues set in, and by the end of 2022, the Dodgers let him walk.
That led to a fresh start with the Cubs in 2023 - and a much-needed bounce-back. While 2024 was more of a mixed bag, the Yankees saw enough to make a move, acquiring him midseason in one of their savvier deals in recent years.
And then came 2025 - the kind of season that reminded everyone just how dynamic Bellinger can be when he’s right. Over 152 games, he posted a 5.1 bWAR and launched 29 home runs, his highest total since that MVP campaign in 2019.
He looked comfortable at the plate, confident in the field, and finally healthy. For the Yankees, it was a no-brainer to lock him up long-term.
What This Means for the Yankees
This deal gives New York some much-needed stability in the outfield and middle of the order. Bellinger brings power from the left side, positional versatility, and postseason experience - all things this Yankees roster needs as it eyes a return to October relevance.
But the job’s not done. The Yankees still have work to do this offseason, particularly in the bullpen and at the bottom of the lineup.
They’re still looking up at the Blue Jays in terms of roster depth and balance, and the AL East isn’t getting any easier. With Toronto pushing hard and other contenders making moves, the Yankees will need to stay active to keep pace.
Still, bringing back Bellinger is a statement - not just about his resurgence, but about the team’s belief in what he can bring to a championship-caliber roster.
The Yankees bet on his upside once. Now they’re all-in.