The Cubs are trading outfielder Cody Bellinger to the Yankees, a source confirmed on Tuesday. The Cubs are also sending $5 million to offset part of Belligner’s salary and receiving right-hander Cody Poteet, according to multiple reports.
Once the Cubs acquired right fielder Kyle Tucker from the Astros on Friday, bringing in the kind of impact bat that could elevate their whole offense, trading Bellinger seemed like the logical next move.
The Cubs were already flush with outfielders, both established big-leaguers and emerging prospects, before adding Tucker to the mix. And Bellinger could become a free agent after next season.
Belligner had the option to test free agency after the 2024 season. Instead, Bellinger opted in for the second year of his three-year contract, picking up his $27.5 million player option for 2025. He has another opt-out in his deal after next season. The size and structure of his contract had to be a factor in negotiations.
Bellinger wasn’t expected to replicate his 2023 Comeback Player of the Year performance this past season. But fracturing his ribs and a finger at different parts of the season, while battling Wrigley Field’s conditions, which were more pitcher friendly than usual, may have exacerbated the dip.
“Cody back in there fulltime post-trade deadline, the run-scoring started to become consistent,” manager Craig Counsell said during winter meetings, acknowledging that the development of younger players at the bottom of the order was another key to stabilizing the offense in the second half. “That lineup produced runs. That’s what we’re looking at right now.”
Bellinger still managed a .751 OPS and 18 home runs across the season as a whole. And he was willing to move around the field, playing center field, right field and first base at different points of the year, depending on team needs.
“I think it’s always nice that teams want you,” his agent Scott Boras said last week in his annual winter meetings news conference. “Whenever a player is in this situation, there’s always an expectancy. But we also know that where Cody’s at in his career, what his contract is, I think he’s going to be going to a very competitive team if it happens. And if he stays in Chicago, that will be a place he’s very welcome.”
The Tucker trade also made the Yankees a natural fit as the Cubs’ next trade partner. They’d already lost outfielder Juan Soto, this year’s top free agent, to the Mets. And they reportedly were also in talks with the Astros about Tucker. And they have an opening at first base, a position Bellinger also plays at a high level.
