The Yankees have traded for Cody Bellinger from the Cubs, adding a powerful left-handed bat to their lineup as they aim for the playoffs
New York: Cody Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP, is finally joining the Yankees after a trade with the Cubs. It’s been a long time coming, especially since his dad played for the Yankees too.
The Cubs are sending Bellinger along with $5 million to the Yankees in exchange for pitcher Cody Poteet. This move makes sense for both teams. The Cubs want to cut costs, and Bellinger’s contract is hefty, while the Yankees need a lefty bat.
Bellinger is expected to play center field, which lets Aaron Judge shift back to right field. This should help lighten Judge’s defensive load. Plus, Bellinger fills the gap left by Juan Soto’s departure.
Now, Bellinger isn’t exactly a Soto replacement, but he’s a solid player. Last season, he hit 18 home runs and had a decent .751 OPS. He’s got a good track record, especially after bouncing back in Chicago.
One of the bright spots is that Bellinger has kept his strikeout rate low, which is a big improvement from his last years with the Dodgers. He’s also been hitting well against lefties, which is a plus for the Yankees.
Interestingly, during the 2023 season, Bellinger hit a memorable home run at Yankee Stadium. The Cubs held onto him then but later signed him to a three-year deal worth $80 million.
Bellinger has playoff experience too, with a solid number of games under his belt. He’s had his ups and downs in the postseason, but he did help the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020.
Fun fact: his dad, Clay, played for the Yankees and won two championships. It’s a nice full-circle moment for Cody to join the team his father once played for.