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.

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.

In Week 15, the New York Jets delivered an exciting and much-needed victory, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 32-25.

The game was filled with incredible performances, including Aaron Rodgers’ leadership, Davante Adams’ explosive plays, and Breece Hall’s game-winning touchdown in his return.

The victory snapped the Jets’ four-game losing streak and proved the team’s ability to perform under pressure.

It was a win that showed their resilience and determination to keep fighting through the season.

Let’s recap.

Jets’ Breece Hall Scores Game-Winning TD in Return

Breece Hall returned triumphantly after missing one game with a knee injury.

Hall carried the ball nine times for 30 yards and scored a crucial one-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

But he also caught both of his targets for 21 yards.

Hall wasn’t very efficient with his carries, and Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen combined for seven carries, with Allen leaving the game due to a back injury.

Still, Hall’s touchdown broke a 25-25 tie with 1:05 remaining and sealed the Jets’ win.

If Hall stays healthy in practice this week, he’s expected to see a bigger role in Week 16 against the Rams.

Breece Hall Active After Missing One Game

Before the game, it wasn’t clear if Hall would play. And the Jets had listed him as questionable due to his knee issue.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich offered hope on Friday, “He looks good right now, so it’s promising. It says questionable, but we’re hopeful, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Hall had missed last week’s loss to Miami after sitting out with a knee problem.

And unfortunately, this is the same knee where he suffered an ACL injury in 2022.

In his 12 games this season, Hall has totaled 692 rushing yards with 4 touchdowns and 401 receiving yards with 2 receiving touchdowns.

Rodgers and Adams Lead the Jets to Victory

In a thrilling 32-25 win against the Jaguars, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams reminded everyone why they’re one of the best quarterback-receiver duos.

Rodgers connected with Adams 9 times for 198 yards and 2 touchdowns, all in the second half.

After a four-game losing streak, the Jets moved to 4-10 and snapped their skid, while the Jaguars fell to 3-11.

Saying that the game’s biggest play came with 1:41 remaining.

On third-and-10, Rodgers threw a back-shoulder pass to Adams for 23 yards and pushed the Jets past midfield.

Rodgers described the moment:

“The safety just stayed inside. When I let it go, I felt like it was a little too far outside and not down the field. But he made a ridiculous catch.”

Adams followed that with a 41-yard catch-and-run that brought the Jets to the 1-yard line.

Hall then punched the ball in with little resistance for the game-winning touchdown.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich then praised the team’s effort.

“It means everything. Regardless of circumstance, regardless of what is maybe said in the outside world, this locker room is right… For them to come through and have the game they had today is so deserving, and I’m so happy for that locker room,” he said.

Jets’ Defense Steps Up in Crunch Time

With the Jaguars driving late, Sauce Gardner sealed the game with his first interception of the season off Mac Jones with just 44 seconds remaining.

Gardner shared his excitement:

“It was just great for the game to [be] on the line and Mac Jones to throw the ball at me. It was great just to be able to close the game. It’s truly a blessing. I’ve been waiting for a pick for a minute.”

Rodgers, coming off a big performance against Miami, finished the game with 289 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, hitting 16 of 30 attempts.

This marked the second consecutive game where the Jets totaled over 400 yards of offense.

Adams Hits Career Milestone

Adams’ second touchdown, a 71-yard catch, gave the Jets a 25-22 lead with a successful two-point conversion.

“Once I saw the safeties get real width like that, it was just a foot race. I looked back and saw the ball in the air and was like, ‘wow, this is really about to be a 70-yard touchdown.’ And lo and behold, we got it,” he said.

Later, Adams celebrated his 100th career touchdown after a dramatic replay reversal.

His 43-yard catch set up the Jets at the Jaguars’ 8-yard line.

On the next play, Rodgers threw a fade to Adams, sealing the milestone.

“In that situation, I’m never supposed to get the ball… There was no doubt in my mind in that moment that he was coming there. It’s just kind of that telepathy, I guess you could say,” Adams recalled the moment.

Jets’ Early Effort and Defensive Resilience

The Jets set the tone early in the game with a fake punt.

Ashtyn Davis took a direct snap and sprinted 21 yards on fourth-and-5, even hurdling a defender.

But this set up Rodgers’ 22-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, which marked the Jets’ first opening-drive touchdown in 15 games.

Later, Jalen Mills intercepted a long pass from Jones at the Jets’ 12-yard line and stopped a Jaguars’ drive.

Jacksonville, however, controlled the ball for much of the game, winning the time of possession battle from 21:08 to 8:52 in the first half.

Despite Jacksonville’s control, the Jets’ defense stood strong late, and Rodgers led them to victory.

A Win to Build On

The Jets’ win over the Jaguars was a team effort that included Breece Hall’s heroic return, Rodgers and Adams’ big plays, and a strong defensive finish.

The victory was well-deserved after weeks of frustration, and it showed the team’s determination to compete until the very end.

As Aaron Rodgers summed it up:

“You play for the love of the game and to have moments like this with your boys and to be able to come up big.”

It’s that time of the year again.

NBA teams are scrambling to position themselves for either a championship push or a draft lottery boost as the February 6 trade deadline creeps closer.

There’s already been some movement, but you can expect more wheeling and dealing in the coming weeks.

Some teams, like the Golden State Warriors, hope to add a superstar to boost their title chances.

Others, like the Lakers and Knicks, are working to fix their weaknesses to stay competitive.

Let’s take a look at the top rumors and how teams are planning to improve.

The Warriors Are Saving Kuminga for the Right Deal

The Golden State Warriors started the trade season by getting Dennis Schroder from the Brooklyn Nets.

In return, they gave up De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, and three second-round picks.

Schroder is a solid backup guard who can bring some energy off the bench, which the Warriors need right now after a rough 3-7 stretch in their last 10 games.

But there was talk of a bigger deal.

According to reports, the Warriors could’ve added Cameron Johnson if they had included Jonathan Kuminga in the trade.

Golden State chose not to do that, and that clearly shows how much they value Kuminga right now.

Oh, and it’s not the first time they’ve held onto him.

Last summer, they turned down offers for Lauri Markkanen because they didn’t want to give up Kuminga.

He’s been playing a bigger role recently—he started in six of their last seven games.

However, the Warriors might change their minds if they can add a big star like Jimmy Butler, who reportedly has Golden State on a short list of teams he’d prefer to play for.

Butler is exactly the type of All-Star player the Warriors need to make a deep playoff run.

And Kuminga would almost certainly be part of that deal if they decide to go all-in.

But for the time being, the Warriors seem to be waiting for the right opportunity.

The Lakers Need More Depth in the Frontcourt

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently 13-12 and sitting in 10th place in the West.

And that’s not where they want to be if they plan on making a playoff run.

Instead of chasing another superstar, the team’s main focus is adding depth to the roster, especially in the frontcourt.

One name that has come up is Jonas Valanciunas.

The Washington Wizards center could give the Lakers more size, rebounding, and defense.

He’s a reliable player who would help take some pressure off Anthony Davis.

There’s also talk about a possible reunion with Brandon Ingram.

He’s been in trade rumors for a while now, and he’d add scoring and flexibility to the Lakers’ offense alongside LeBron James and Davis.

The Lakers know they need to improve their roster if they want to move up in the standings.

And Valanciunas or Ingram could be the right pieces to make that happen.

Mitchell Robinson’s Injury Could Change the Knicks’ Plans

The New York Knicks just got some bad news about center Mitchell Robinson.

Robinson had ankle surgery and was expected to return in January, but now his timeline has been pushed back to late January or February.

Without Robinson, the Knicks’ defense has taken a hit, and they haven’t been getting enough from Jericho Sims, his replacement.

This puts the Knicks in a tricky spot:

• They could try to trade Robinson to get a healthier big man like Jonas Valanciunas.
• Or, they could stay patient and wait for Robinson to come back.

The problem is that trading Robinson won’t be easy.

Other teams might not want to take a risk on an injured player, especially so close to the trade deadline.

And if the Knicks want to make a deal, they may have to give up extra players or picks to make it happen.

So, the Knicks have a tough decision to make.

Either they gamble on Robinson’s return or try to find a quick fix before it’s too late.

The Pelicans Are Open for Business—But Not Everyone’s Available

The New Orleans Pelicans are having a rough season.

They’re 5-22—the worst record in the Western Conference—and injuries have only made things worse.

Now, they’re listening to trade offers for almost everyone on their roster.

There are only three players they don’t want to trade:

• Herb Jones (11.2 points, 2 steals per game)
• Trey Murphy III (18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds)
• Yves Missi (9.2 points, 8.5 rebounds as a rookie)

Everyone else, including Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, is on the table.

But trading them won’t be easy.

Ingram has struggled with injuries, and Zion’s history of missing games makes him a risky player to trade for.

Teams like the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat could take a chance on Ingram.

Meanwhile, Zion’s potential could draw interest from teams like the Charlotte Hornets or the Miami Heat, but his value isn’t as high as it once was.

For the Pelicans, they’re focusing on reshaping their team and preparing for next season.

Anfernee Simons Is Getting Lots of Attention

One of the hottest names in the trade market right now is Anfernee Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers.

In the third year of his $100 million contract, Simons is averaging 17.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.6 rebounds this season.

The teams showing the most interest are the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat.

According to betting odds, the Magic are favorites at +400, followed by the Heat at +500.

For Orlando, Simons could carry the load while stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are out.

Miami sees Simons as a player who can add scoring and help them during the regular season and playoffs.

Other teams, such as the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors, also monitor the situation.

But Simons won’t come cheap.

Any team that wants him will likely need to give up a young player and some draft picks.

Expect Big Trades Before the Deadline

With the NBA trade deadline coming up, teams are working hard to improve their rosters or plan for the future.

The Golden State Warriors might trade Jonathan Kuminga to land a star like Jimmy Butler to improve their chances in the playoffs.

The Lakers are focused on fixing their frontcourt, and they are considering players like Jonas Valanciunas or even bringing back Brandon Ingram.

The New York Knicks have a tough choice to make regarding Mitchell Robinson, as his injury recovery has taken longer than expected.

And the Pelicans are open to trading most of their roster except for a few young players they want to keep.

At the same time, Anfernee Simons is a hot trade target, and teams like the Magic and Heat are ready to make offers for him.

Over the next few weeks, there will be plenty of trades and surprises as teams try to improve their rosters.

The trade market is getting more exciting, and every move will affect the rest of the season.