The grainy videos came out every once in a while for a young Cody Bellinger, confirming that he indeed toddled onto the field as the Yankees celebrated their 2000 World Series victory over the Mets. He¡¯s hoping to be part of another celebration like that soon.

¡°I have small memories of the kids' playroom that I would go to during the games, I have small memories of the house that we lived in upstate,¡± Bellinger said on Friday. ¡°My mom did a great job with the camcorder, so we would watch replays of it growing up, and it helps me remember what we were doing out there when I was 5 or 6.¡±

Clay Bellinger was a utilityman on the Yankees clubs of the late 1990s, winning two championship rings. The Bombers are counting on his son to play an even more prominent role, acquiring the 29-year-old from the Cubs earlier this week along with cash considerations in exchange for right-hander Cody Poteet.

• Bellingers the latest father-son duo in pinstripes

Bellinger said that he was on a flight to Atlanta when the trade was consummated on Wednesday, though it came as little surprise. According to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, Bellinger had been pushing behind the scenes for an opportunity to wear the pinstripes.

"He¡¯s someone that wants to be here,¡± Cashman said. ¡°I've been hearing it for a long time, including his agent, Scott Boras, saying, ¡®Can you get him over here? He's driving me crazy. He wants to be a Yankee.¡¯ That¡¯s not why I did it; ultimately, I did it because it¡¯s a fit.¡±

Asked why playing for the Yankees was so appealing, Bellinger said: ¡°For your life, a baseball career is short. I have an opportunity here to play for one of the best franchises in all of sports. I knew there was interest, and I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. I¡¯m just glad that it was all able to work out.¡±

Bellinger¡¯s versatility could answer some of the Yankees' questions as they continue to pivot from their pursuit of Juan Soto. With Aaron Judge expected to move back to right field, Bellinger could take over as the starting center fielder, though Cashman said that he would like to see the club's top prospect, Jasson Dom¨ªnguez, win a starting job this coming spring.

If that happens, Dom¨ªnguez might handle duties in center field, with Bellinger playing left field ¨C generally considered a more challenging defensive position for the Yankees, given Yankee Stadium¡¯s dimensions. Should the Yanks find answers in both outfield spots, Bellinger is also a capable defender at first base.

¡°I told [manager Aaron Boone] that wherever you need me to play, I¡¯ll play,¡± Bellinger said. ¡°Whether it¡¯s left, center, or if Judge gets a DH day, I¡¯ll play right. If you need me at first, I¡¯ll play first. I enjoy doing that stuff. I think it helps the teams that I¡¯m on win.

¡°I learned a lot from Kik¨¦ Hern¨¢ndez; he¡¯s probably one of the best players I¡¯ve seen at being able to roam all around the field and just be above-average or excellent in all the positions he plays. I got to see how it¡¯s possible, and I knew that I had the ability to do it.¡±

Last season with the Cubs, Bellinger batted .266/.325/.426 (111 OPS+) with 72 runs, 23 doubles, 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 130 games, a dip from the strong bounce-back numbers he posted in ¡¯23. The Cubs were interested in freeing most of the $52.5 million due to Bellinger over the next two seasons; Chicago chipped in $5 million in salary relief to complete the deal.

Bellinger was the 2019 National League MVP with the Dodgers, when he batted .305/.406/.629 with 47 homers and 115 RBIs. He said reclaiming that level of performance remains a driving force.

¡°I do think that it is in the tank,¡± Bellinger said. ¡°You never know the future. I try not to set future numbers. I just want to go out and play the best baseball I can play: defense, running the bases and just helping the team win.¡±

Since Bellinger profiles as a left-handed pull hitter who likes to drive the ball in the air, the Yankees believe that Bellinger¡¯s offensive numbers will improve with 81 games at Yankee Stadium (plus, as Cashman pointed out on Wednesday, six more against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field, which has identical dimensions).

¡°Everything about it excites me ¨C the organization, the fans, the stadium, the atmosphere,¡± Bellinger said. ¡°I actually have only played [at Yankee Stadium] once, and that was in 2023. It was a really cool moment. I¡¯ve heard nothing but amazing things about everything, the organization and the clubhouse. I¡¯m just excited to be a part of it. I¡¯m excited to get to work.¡±