Chicago Cubs Trade Cody Bellinger to Yankees for Cash and Pitcher Cody Poteet
The New York Yankees acquired outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in a trade on Tuesday, bolstering their roster following the departure of outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets.
As part of the deal, the Cubs also sent cash considerations to the Yankees, who traded right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet to Chicago to finalize the transaction.
According to sources from ESPN, the Yankees will receive $5 million to help offset Bellinger’s salary. Bellinger is set to earn $27.5 million in 2025 and has a $25 million player option for 2026. The Cubs will contribute $2.5 million toward Bellinger’s 2025 salary, while the remaining $2.5 million will either go toward the buyout if Bellinger declines his player option or be applied to his 2026 salary.
Bellinger, 29, was the National League MVP in 2019. His father, Clay, also played for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001. After three underwhelming seasons, Bellinger regained his form with the Cubs in 2023 and signed a three-year, $80 million free-agent deal with them in March. This season, he hit .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs but chose not to opt out of the remainder of his contract.
The Yankees’ acquisition of Bellinger follows a series of moves, including signing left-handed starter Max Fried in free agency and trading for All-Star closer Devin Williams. After losing the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees have spent the offseason strengthening their roster in preparation for another championship run.
Bellinger’s versatility is expected to fit seamlessly into the Yankees’ lineup. A strong center fielder, he can play in center or left field, allowing the Yankees to utilize rookie Jasson Domínguez in center if needed. Bellinger is also an elite defensive first baseman. Although Anthony Rizzo’s free agency left a vacancy at first base, the Yankees may opt for internal options like Ben Rice or pursue free agents such as Pete Alonso or Christian Walker.
At his best, Bellinger is a formidable force in the middle of the lineup. His hitting skills will help mitigate the loss of Soto. During his MVP season in 2019, Bellinger hit .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs at just 24 years old. Over his eight-year career, he has maintained a .259/.334/.484 batting line, with 196 home runs and 597 RBIs in 1,005 games.
The Cubs spent the offseason seeking trade partners for Bellinger to free up payroll and improve a team that finished 83-79 this year. The two teams negotiated extensively on the financial aspects of the deal, ultimately agreeing on $5 million and 30-year-old Poteet as part of the package.
Poteet started four games for the Yankees this year, pitching 24⅓ innings, striking out 16 batters, walking eight, and achieving a 2.22 ERA. Over three major league seasons split between starting and relieving, Poteet has recorded a 3.80 ERA with 69 strikeouts, 35 walks, and 13 home runs allowed in 83 innings.
Additionally, on Tuesday, the Cubs traded catcher Matt Thaiss to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations.
