Yanks to acquire Bellinger from Cubs for reliever (reports)

The Yankees have agreed to a trade with the Cubs that will bring former National League MVP Cody Bellinger and $5 million to the Bronx, according to several reports on Tuesday afternoon. Neither club has confirmed the deal, in which righty reliever Cody Poteet will join the Cubs.

Bellinger’s star rose rapidly after he made his Major League debut with the Dodgers in 2017. That year, he smashed 39 home runs with a .933 OPS to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Two seasons later, he was named the NL MVP after hitting .305/.406/.629 with 47 homers.

TRADE DETAILS
Yankees receive: OF Cody Bellinger, $5 million
Cubs receive: RHP Cody Poteet

But in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, his offensive numbers took a downturn, and though he was a hero during the postseason, he suffered a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. Over the next two seasons, Bellinger struggled to a .611 OPS, and it appeared that his best days might be behind him.

Then Bellinger delivered a big bounce-back performance after joining the Cubs on a one-year contract. He posted a .307/.356/.525 slash line with 26 homers and 20 steals in 130 games to win the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2023, then re-signed with Chicago on a three-year, $80 million contract that offseason, hoping to build upon his return to form. He again appeared in 130 games in ’24, but his production at the plate declined -- in 13 more plate appearances than the prior season, he posted a .751 OPS with 18 homers.

Over the past couple of seasons, Bellinger seems to have become a more contact-oriented hitter as opposed to the power threat he was earlier in his career. In both 2023 and ’24, his quality of contact metrics were underwhelming. Though he hit .307 in ’23, his Statcast expected batting average was .268. His expected weighted on-base average was 43 points below his actual figure of .370. His hard-hit rate was a career-low 31.4%. And aside from the hard-hit rate (32.9%), those figures were lower this past season.

Still, Bellinger has a track record that suggests he could be a key contributor both offensively and defensively -- he is a former Gold Glove Award winner in center field, and he can also play a solid first base. Still just 29, Bellinger is owed $27.5 million for 2025, and he has a $25 million player option for ’26, with a $5 million buyout.