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By Joey Copponi
Contributing Sports Writer
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The New York Yankees reportedly acquired outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, in a deal that many had been anticipating.
The details of a potential trade had been heavily speculated over the weeks leading up to the deal, with the Cubs expected to retain a portion of Bellinger's salary. The reported details of the trade were as follows:
Yankees receive: OF Cody Bellinger, $5 million
Cubs receive: RHP Cody Poteet
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"Of the $5 million the Cubs are sending to the Yankees in the Cody Bellinger trade, $2.5 million will cover his 2025 salary, per source," reported Jeff Passan of ESPN. "The remaining $2.5 million will either cover the buyout if he doesn't exercise his player option for 2026 or Bellinger's 2026 salary if he does."
Bellinger is entering his age-29 season with two years and $52.5 million remaining on his contract. He is owed $27.5 million in 2025 and $25 million in 2026, if he does exercise his player option.
The Cubs' return in the trade is right-hander Cody Poteet, who made five appearances for the Yankees in 2024. The 30-year-old posted an ERA of 2.22 over 24 1/3 innings, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 16-to-8.
The Yankees have successfully executed their Juan Soto backup plan, and have acquired an outfielder with a high ceiling without giving up much from their already-thin farm system. Bellinger is coming off a season in which he slashed .266/.325/.426 with an OPS of .751 (111 OPS+), racking up 18 homers and 78 RBI in 130 games.
Although this past season was not Bellinger's best, sending him to the Bronx (along with $5 million) in exchange for a 30-year-old pitcher with 83 major league innings under his belt is nothing short of shocking. The Cubs have made moves this offseason that signal they want to field a competitive team in 2025. This is not one of them.
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