Is Cody Bellinger being traded to the New York Yankees? Now, that’s a move no one could ignore!
Just when fans thought the Chicago Cubs might keep the former MVP around for another year, the front office made a bold call.
Let’s break down exactly what happened and why this trade is making waves.
- Cody Bellinger was traded to the Yankees, while the Cubs gained Cody Poteet and some financial flexibility.
- The Yankees aim to use Bellinger as their primary center fielder, moving Aaron Judge back to right field while hoping Bellinger’s bat benefits from Yankee Stadium.
- This trade reflects the teams’ strategies: the Yankees rebuild offense, and the Cubs reallocate resources.
A Surprising Yet Logical Trade
The Cubs trading Cody Bellinger to the Yankees caught some people off guard, but looking closer, it all makes sense.
After Bellinger exercised his $27.5 million player option for the 2025 season, it seemed like he was staying in Chicago.
But the move shows the Cubs had other plans.
As Ken Rosenthal reported in The Athletic, rival executives said, “While the [Cubs] want to trade first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, they also note the difficulty the team likely will face pulling off such a move.”
And the problem is his contract.
Bellinger’s decision to stay with the Cubs locked in $32.5 million ($27.5 million salary and $5 million buyout) and included a $25 million player option for 2026.
A general manager bluntly told Bob Nightengale of USA Today: “Come on. Who’s going to touch that contract? The risk is just too great for the production.”
And that’s not all.
The Cubs had other players taking center stage.
Kyle Tucker, acquired from the Houston Astros earlier this month, joined outfielders Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Michael Busch was also locked in as the new first baseman.
And with no room left for Bellinger, the Cubs moved on.
What the Yankees Get
The Yankees didn’t hesitate to grab Bellinger.
They needed to replace their lost production when Juan Soto left for the Mets.
Even though Soto is irreplaceable, adding Bellinger gives New York flexibility.
Jim Bowden of CBS Sports reported that Bellinger would play center field while Aaron Judge moved back to right field.
And that aligns with Judge’s preference and gives the Yankees better defensive options.
Ken Rosenthal added that Bellinger “would give the team above-average defense at all three spots,” referring to center, left field, and first base.
While Bellinger’s offense has been up and down, he showed flashes of brilliance in 2023 with the Cubs.
That year, he slashed .307/.356/.525, hit 26 home runs, drove in 97 RBIs, and stole 20 bases.
He went on to earn a Silver Slugger Award for his efforts.
Last season wasn’t as strong, with a .266/.325/.426 line, but there’s hope he’ll bounce back—especially with Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right field potentially boosting his power numbers.
The Financial Details
Here’s how the trade played out:
- The Cubs sent Cody Bellinger to the Yankees.
- The Yankees sent right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet to the Cubs.
- Chicago also sent $5 million to help cover Bellinger’s remaining 2025 salary.
The Yankees will take on most of Bellinger’s contract, including the potential $25 million player option for 2026.
For the Cubs, this move was all about clearing payroll to make room for other additions.
What This Trade Means for the Yankees and Cubs
Without question, the Yankees still have work to do.
This trade is a good first step, but it won’t solve all their problems.
To free agency, they lost big contributors—Juan Soto, Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, and Alex Verdugo.
First base is still a big question mark, and their offense needs more firepower to be competitive in 2025.
But Bellinger’s versatility helps.
He’ll primarily play center field but can step in at first base or left field if needed.
The Yankees now have more defensive options, which is always a good thing.
For the Cubs, shedding Bellinger’s salary frees up resources.
Kyle Tucker was a huge addition, but the Cubs must use their financial flexibility wisely.
Fans are eager to see if this trade leads to more significant moves.
As Bob Nightengale put it, “Teams in Chicago’s position should be making trades such as this only if it enables them to make additional moves to improve the roster.”
Setting the Tone for the Yankees’ Rebuild and Cubs’ Growth
This trade isn’t about instant results.
For the Yankees, it’s the beginning of an offseason rebuild.
For the Cubs, it’s about creating room to grow.
As Ken Rosenthal said, “This was a move that must be a small piece in a bigger puzzle of transactions, rather than a key move around which their offseasons are built.”
The 2025 season just got much more exciting for fans on both sides.
They will enjoy seeing Cody Bellinger in pinstripes and watching how the Cubs use their newfound flexibility.
