Cody Bellinger Reportedly Re-Signs With Yankees
The New York Yankees have reportedly re-signed Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger was the top free agent hitter available, and he reportedly had interest from the Yankees, New York Mets, and the Toronto Blue Jays. Yet, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported on Wednesday that Bellinger and the Yankees have agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million deal.
“Cody Bellinger’s deal with the Yankees is for five years and $162.5 million, sources tell ESPN,” Passan wrote on X. “There are opt-outs after the second and third season, a $20M signing bonus and a full no-trade clause.”
The Yankees acquired Bellinger last offseason from the Chicago Cubs, and he fit in right away with the team. Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs last season with New York.
Bellinger was considered a key priority for the Yankees this offseason, as manager Aaron Boone said the team wanted Bellinger back.
“What Cody brought to us last year, in so many ways … who he was in the room, his performance in between the lines on both sides of the ball, his athleticism, his versatility, who wouldn’t want a player like that?” Boone said.
“But he’s earned the right to get to this point of his career (with) free agency, (and) he’s still a relatively young man, so we’ll see what happens and we’ll see how it shakes out, but as far as the player and the person, he’s a good one.”
Bellinger is a two-time MLB All-Star and was named NL MVP in 2019.