The New York Yankees have found their replacement for Juan Soto – or at least someone who can fill his spot on the field.
The Bombers just completed a trade with the Chicago Cubs for former MVP Cody Bellinger.
Along with Bellinger, the Cubs are sending cash considerations to the Yankees, who will give up right-handed reliever Cody Poteet in return.
This acquisition signals the Yankees’ confidence in Bellinger, a once-dominant player looking to regain his footing after a turbulent few seasons.
The Yankees’ urgency to land an impactful corner outfielder intensified after Soto inked a record-setting deal with their cross-town rivals, the New York Mets.
Soto’s departure left the Yankees in desperate need of power and consistency in their lineup.
The 29-year-old Bellinger brings pedigree and potential despite an inconsistent past few years.
Bellinger’s current contract, a three-year, $80 million deal with the Cubs, includes player options for 2025 and 2026, making him an attractive trade candidate for a Yankees team ready to gamble on his resurgence.
The Cubs’ decision to move Bellinger became inevitable after they acquired Houston Astros star Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster trade.
Tucker’s arrival crowded the outfield and further diminished Bellinger’s role in Chicago.
Bellinger’s rise to stardom with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 feels like a distant memory.
That year, at just 23 years old, he captured the National League MVP award, hitting .305 with 47 home runs and posting an impressive 8.6 Wins Above Replacement – a career high that surpassed those of stars like Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña Jr.
However, his trajectory changed in the 2020 postseason. After hitting a pivotal home run in Game 7 of the NLCS, Bellinger dislocated his right shoulder during an exuberant high-five with teammate Kiké Hernández.
The injury required surgery and marked the beginning of a downward spiral.
In 2021, Bellinger endured the worst season of his career, and his struggles continued into 2022. The Dodgers, unwilling to pay his escalating arbitration salary, non-tendered him, effectively cutting ties a year earlier than expected.
The Cubs took a chance on Bellinger with a one-year “pillow contract” in 2023, a move that paid off.
He bounced back to win NL Comeback Player of the Year, hitting .307 with 26 home runs and proving his shoulder was at least functional again.
His resurgence earned him the three-year deal with opt-outs that he signed to remain in Chicago.
Still, Bellinger’s momentum faltered again in 2024. His production dipped across the board, and he exercised the first opt-in on his contract, turning the once-promising deal into a financial burden for the Cubs.
For the Yankees, Bellinger represents a high-risk, high-reward investment.
With his defensive versatility and potential to recapture his MVP form, the Yankees hope he can thrive in the Bronx.
Adding a layer of nostalgia, Bellinger’s father, Clay, was part of the Yankees organization from 1999 to 2001, earning two World Series rings during his tenure.
As Cody Bellinger dons the pinstripes, the Yankees are betting on a player whose career has been defined by both dizzying heights and challenging setbacks.
What are your thoughts on the trade???
