Yankees Secure Cody Bellinger With Five-Year Mega Deal

The New York Yankees have made a decisive move in what had been a relatively quiet offseason, securing the services of outfielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger with a five-year, $162.5 million contract. The agreement, reached on January 21, 2026, includes opt-outs after the second and third years, a $20 million signing bonus, and a full no-trade clause. The deal, pending a physical, marks the end of a drawn-out negotiation that had the Yankees faithful anxiously awaiting news of whether one of their brightest stars would return to the Bronx.

Bellinger, 30, declined a $25 million player option for 2026, choosing instead to test the free agent market after a strong 2025 season in pinstripes. His return, however, was always the Yankees’ top priority, and the front office made that clear throughout the winter. According to The Post’s Jon Heyman, “The move comes in what’s been a quiet offseason in The Bronx, as the Yankees made it clear that retaining the 30-year-old was their top priority after he declined a $25 million player option.”

After being traded from the Chicago Cubs last offseason, Bellinger quickly became a cornerstone of the Yankees’ lineup. In 2025, he batted .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 25 doubles over 152 games. His impact was felt not only at the plate but also across the diamond, as he contributed defensively in left field, center field, right field, and at first base. Bellinger’s versatility proved invaluable, especially during stretches when injuries forced manager Aaron Boone to shuffle the lineup.

“I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform,” Bellinger said after the Yankees’ ALDS loss to Toronto in October 2025. “Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room. It really is special.”

The Yankees’ outfield for the 2026 season now looks set, with Bellinger in left, Aaron Judge—the reigning two-time American League MVP—in right, and Trent Grisham patrolling center field after accepting a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer. Giancarlo Stanton remains the primary designated hitter, while young talents like Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones may find themselves in limited roles or back in the minors due to the logjam in the outfield. The continuity in the lineup is expected to keep the Yankees among the league leaders in runs, home runs, and OPS, just as they were in 2025.

Bellinger’s journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. He burst onto the scene with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017, smashing 39 home runs en route to earning National League Rookie of the Year honors. His 2019 campaign was even more spectacular, as he slashed .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs and 115 RBIs, capturing the NL MVP award. However, the pandemic era saw a dip in his production, and the Dodgers ultimately non-tendered him after the 2022 season.

Seeking a fresh start, Bellinger signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in 2023, where he rebounded in dramatic fashion—hitting .307 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs, and winning a Silver Slugger Award. Though his numbers dipped in 2024 (.266 average, 18 home runs, 78 RBIs), he found new life upon his arrival in New York, helping stabilize the Yankees’ lineup and providing a much-needed left-handed bat behind Judge.

The 2025 season saw Bellinger post an impressive .909 OPS at Yankee Stadium, compared to .715 on the road, highlighting just how much he thrived in the Bronx. His ability to deliver in front of the home crowd quickly made him a fan favorite. Even as a bruised heel limited his effectiveness in the postseason, Bellinger remained a key figure in the Yankees’ playoff push, which ended in disappointment with a division series exit to the Blue Jays.

The path to Bellinger’s return was not without drama. He and agent Scott Boras initially sought a seven-year, $266 million deal, but as the market shifted—especially after the Dodgers outbid the Mets for Kyle Tucker and the Mets acquired Luis Robert Jr.—the Yankees stood firm on their terms. Ultimately, Bellinger agreed to the five-year deal, which still represents a significant raise over his $27.5 million salary from 2025 and includes financial security and flexibility with the opt-out clauses.

“Weeks after the Yankees making two offers, Bellinger and agent Scott Boras gave up their hunt to get a much more lucrative contract,” reported ESPN. The Mets and Blue Jays were rumored to be in the mix but ultimately bowed out, leaving the Yankees as the clear destination for the two-time All-Star.

For the Yankees, Bellinger’s return means stability in the outfield and a potent left-handed bat to complement Judge and Stanton. It also means that prospects like Domínguez and Jones may have to wait their turn or prove themselves elsewhere. Ben Rice is expected to get a shot at first base, while José Caballero will fill in for Anthony Volpe at shortstop as Volpe recovers from offseason surgery.

The Yankees’ rotation remains a work in progress, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt all recovering from surgeries. The front office is expected to pursue additional pitching depth before Opening Day, but the signing of Bellinger signals that the team’s focus is on maintaining a championship-caliber lineup.

As spring training approaches—just three weeks away—the Yankees’ faithful can look forward to seeing a familiar and formidable core take the field. The 2026 season opens on March 25 against the San Francisco Giants, and expectations are sky-high in the Bronx. Bellinger’s return not only answers one of the offseason’s biggest questions but also sets the stage for another thrilling chapter in Yankees history.

With Bellinger back in pinstripes, the Yankees have sent a clear message: they’re all in for another run at glory, banking on the power and poise of a former MVP who has found his home in New York.