01/21/26 12:52:00
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01/21 12:50 CST Cody Bellinger stays with the Yankees, agrees to $162.5
million, 5-year contract, AP source says
Cody Bellinger stays with the Yankees, agrees to $162.5 million, 5-year
contract, AP source says
By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer
Cody Bellinger became the last of the top free-agent hitters to reach a deal,
agreeing Wednesday to stay with the New York Yankees for a $162.5 million,
five-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated
Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to
a successful physical.
Bellinger gets a $20 million signing bonus and a full no-trade provision. He
has the right to opt out after the 2027 or 2028 seasons to become a free agent
again, but if there is a work stoppage that leads to no games being played in
2027, the agreement specifies the opt outs will shift to after the 2027 and
2028 seasons.
A two-time All-Star acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs in December
2024, Bellinger hit .272 with 29 homers and 98 RBIs last year --- including
.302 with 18 homers and 55 RBIs at Yankee Stadium. A left-handed hitter, he
played in 149 games in the outfield and seven at first base in his first season
since 2022 without a stint on the injured list.
He is a son of former Yankee Clay Bellinger.
Voted the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year and 2019 NL MVP, Bellinger
has a .261 average with 225 homers and 695 RBIs in eight seasons with the Los
Angeles Dodgers (2018-22), Cubs (2023-24) and the Yankees.
He earned $57.5 million from the $80 million, three-year contract he reached
with the Cubs before the 2024 season. Bellinger declined a $25 million option
for 2026 in favor of a $5 million buyout.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
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