Bellinger, who was rejected a year ago, hurriedly gave up the trade recruitment soto, so the offseason is going well

Dec 18, 2024

Cody Bellinger was traded to the New York Yankees as expected. Photo Source = MLB Official X Account

Chicago Cubs Cody Bellinger was traded to the New York Yankees. AP Yonhap News

The New York Yankees succeeded in recruiting a left-handed slugger after missing FA Juan Soto.

ESPN said on the 18th (Korea time) 'The Yankees acquired outfielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger through a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Juan Soto continued to gather top-class players after leaving for the New York Mets. The Cubs spent part of Bellinger's salary with the Yankees, completing the trade with right-hander Cody Fortit.

The Cubs will pay $5 million in cash to the Yankees. Bellinger will receive an annual salary of $27.5 million next year and has a player option of $25 million in 2026. For now, the Cubs decided to give $2.5 million to the Yankees as part of next year's salary. And if Bellinger gives up his 2026 player option, he will be paid a $2.5 million buyout, and if the option is implemented, the amount will be sent to the Yankees to be attributed to his $25 million salary.

The Yankees discussed the Bellinger trade in case they failed to renew their contracts even during FA negotiations with Soto. What's interesting is that Bellinger's father Clay Bellinger played as an all-weather fielder for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001. Following his father, his son will wear a Yankees uniform.

Juan Soto smiling broadly at the New York Mets joining ceremony. UPI Yonhap News

Max Fried, who signed an FA contract with the New York Yankees. AP Yonhap News

The Yankees moved quickly right after Soto signed with the Mets. In the FA market, starter Max Fried was acquired for $218 million in eight years, the highest left-hander ever, and Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams was brought in in a trade. And when he succeeded in securing the Bellinger on this day, it is evaluated that he has strengthened his power with a budget.

Bellinger's position is either center fielder or first baseman. Bellinger, who has won the Gold Glove Award, can see the main positions, center field and left field, and if the Yankees use rookie outfielder Jason Dominguez as center field, they are likely to take over left field. In addition, Bellinger can take over the first base, which Anthony Rizzo is drawn to the FA market, and the Yankees can use their internal resources, Ben Rice, or recruit FA first baseman Pete Alonso or Christian Walker.

The Cubs' release of Bellinger is to reduce payrolls. The Cubs signed Bellinger, who was an FA, for three years and $80 million in March. Both 2025 and 2026 were set as player options, with the contract maintained as Bellinger executed next year's options.

The Yankees expect Bellinger to fill Soto's spot to some extent. In other words, they can build a big guns triangle formation with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

Cody Bellinger will receive an annual salary of $52.5 million this year and next year. AP Yonhap News

Bellinger's trip to the Yankees took place in a year. The two sides negotiated last winter. However, the Yankees closed the negotiation window after judging that it would be difficult to meet the conditions of more than $200 million for 7-8 years after Bellinger's 2023 performance. Bellinger recovered some of his skills in 2019 when he was named MVP of the Los Angeles Dodgers with a batting average of 0.307, 26 homers, 97 RBIs, 95 runs and an OPS of 0.881 in 130 games that year, but the Yankees pointed out a decrease in batting speed and hard hit ratio. At the time, Bellinger said "It's because he hits after the strike," but he couldn't persuade the Yankees.

In the end, Bellinger took the hands of the Cubs again, and when he performed below expectations this season, he gave up his player option and was classified as a trade target and moved to the Yankees. For the Yankees, Bellinger's two-year salary was different from the price a year ago, and there was no reason to refuse to trade because he was compensated for $5 million from the Cubs.

Bellinger hit .266 with 18 home runs, 78 RBIs, 72 runs scored, and only 0.751 OPS in 130 games this season. Bellinger's average batting speed decreased from 91.1 miles in 2019 to 87.9 miles in 2023 and has not shown resilience to 87.8 miles this year. The hard hit ratio also reached 45.9% in 2019, but remained similar at 32.9% this year, following 31.4% in 2023.