Yankees sign Cody Bellinger to five-year, $162.5M deal with opt-outs and $20M bonus
Cody Bellinger agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million Yankees contract with a $20 million signing bonus, full no-trade clause and opt-outs after 2027 and 2028.
Overview
The New York Yankees finalized a five-year, $162.5 million agreement with Cody Bellinger Wednesday, pending his physical; the deal keeps him in New York through at least 2029.
Contract specifics include a $20 million signing bonus, a full no-trade clause and opt-out rights after the second and third seasons (2027 and 2028).
If Bellinger opts out after year two, he will have earned $85 million; his AAV is $32.5 million, with salaries declining in later seasons if he remains.
The Yankees signed Bellinger to protect Aaron Judge in the lineup, solidify left field defense and provide versatility, ending a tense free-agent pursuit this winter.
The front-loaded deal pushes New York’s estimated luxury-tax payroll past the highest threshold; the club still has rotation needs and could use prospects as trade assets.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the signing as a decisive, necessity-driven win for the Yankees, using celebratory editorial language ("got their man," "unmitigated disaster") and privileging Yankees' perspective. USA TODAY's narrative choices and anonymous front-office sourcing add emphasis; AP provides neutral factual reporting, but the cumulative coverage skews triumphant.
Sources (7)
FAQ
Five-year, $162.5 million deal with a $20 million signing bonus, full no-trade clause, and opt-outs after 2027 and 2028 seasons. AAV is $32.5 million, front-loaded with $32.5 million in 2026-2027 and declining later.
Batted .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and played 152 games, starting in all three outfield positions and first base. It was his best season since his 2019 NL MVP year.
Traded from the Chicago Cubs in December 2024 for right-hander Cody Poteet, following Juan Soto's departure to free agency.
To protect Aaron Judge in the lineup, solidify left field defense, provide versatility, and retain him after his strong performance over prospect Jasson Domínguez.
History
4 sources