NEW YORK — Requested to guage the experiences of a season with the Yankees late final yr, Cody Bellinger’s eyes scanned the house clubhouse. His gaze settled within the path of Aaron Choose’s locker, prompting a confession: He would “completely” like to return.
“I had an unbelievable time placing on this uniform,” Bellinger mentioned then. “Yankee Stadium, the followers, the group, the tradition that these guys have created on this locker room — it truly is particular. It’s such a enjoyable group.”
And it’s one which he’ll proceed to be part of. Bellinger and the Yankees agreed Wednesday to a five-year, $162.5 million contract, a supply advised MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, with the membership preserving its grasp on a participant whom normal supervisor Brian Cashman had recognized amongst its high winter targets.
Bellinger may even obtain a $20 million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause as a part of the settlement, which has not been confirmed by the membership and is pending a bodily. The contract consists of opt-outs after the 2027 and ’28 seasons, with no deferrals included within the deal.
For months, Cashman and others within the group voiced their intent to proceed a relationship that had appeared an on the spot match. Bellinger’s athleticism, character and flexibility made him a favourite of supervisor Aaron Boone.
“He was an impactful participant for us final yr, and we’d like to have him again if it might match for us,” Cashman mentioned in the course of the Winter Conferences.
However negotiations moved slowly. Agent Scott Boras hinted in December that as many as eight groups had expressed curiosity within the 30-year-old Bellinger, who earned $27.5 million final season, when he batted .272/.334/.480 with 25 doubles, 29 house runs, 98 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 152 video games.
The Cubs lined $2.5 million of that wage, having dealt him to New York in December 2024 as a part of a payroll-clearing transfer. With 5.1 bWAR, Bellinger’s 2025 season was his strongest since ’19, when he was the Nationwide League’s Most Priceless Participant with the Dodgers (8.7 bWAR).
The Yankees reportedly made at the very least two proposals to Bellinger, bending on opt-out clauses and the signing bonus, however refusing to go additional than 5 years.
Although Bellinger was mentioned to be searching for seven years and have become the highest out there free agent bat as soon as Kyle Tucker (Dodgers) and Bo Bichette (Mets) have been off the board, a five-year pact in the end proved to be sufficient.
Bellinger thus returns to a Yankees outfield that initiatives to characteristic Choose, the American League’s reigning MVP, in proper discipline and Trent Grisham in middle discipline. Bellinger might additionally see time at first base, spelling Ben Rice, although they’re each left-handed hitters.
With Bellinger again within the fold, the Yankees might discover commerce alternatives involving Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones (ranked by MLB Pipeline because the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect), who had been in line to compete for the beginning left-field job.
Domínguez’s celebrated prospect standing has not but translated into elite Main League manufacturing, with the 22-year-old “Martian” producing a .248/.327/.397 slash line (103 OPS+) in 149 video games. Jones belted 35 house runs with a .932 OPS final season within the Minors, and Cashman acknowledged another organizations in all probability would have already promoted him to the massive leagues.
“If a state of affairs presents itself down the street the place you find yourself having plenty of good gamers for not sufficient spots, you work it out,” Boone mentioned in December. “You’re employed it out, after which competitors performs a giant position too, the place these issues form of work themselves out.”
