The New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger finally reached an agreement, as ESPN reported on Jan. 21, citing sources, that the free-agent outfielder has signed a five-year, $162.5 million contract to remain in the Bronx.
Furthermore, the report mentions that the deal includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons, a $20 million signing bonus, and a full no-trade clause.
After rumors linking Bellinger to the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays, it’s the Yankees that keep their player, who hit .272 with 160 hits, 29 homers, 98 RBIs, and 89 runs scored in 152 games last season, per StatMuse.
With Bellinger back in the fold, SNY analyst and former MLB general manager Jim Duquette shared his thoughts on the Yankees holding onto their player.
“The Yankees’ pursuit of Cody Bellinger ends up with him signing back with them on a five-year deal,” Duquette said in a video published by SNY on Jan. 21. “Brian Cashman gets their guy. The Yankees and Cashman talked about him as their priority from Day 1, all the way back to the general manager’s meetings, even when he decided to become a free agent. Bellinger was the guy.
“If you look at what he did for New York, his .909 OPS at Yankee Stadium in particular, what he did in terms of protecting Aaron Judge in that lineup, his versatility and athleticism to play multiple positions, not just left field, but center field, right field, first base, a left-handed bat in that lineup. He gives them balance in the lineup as well.”
Jim Duquette Questions Cody Bellinger’s Market
Moreover, Duquette believes the Yankees were always the right fit for Bellinger, even though there were other rumors linking him to other teams.
“There really [weren’t] many other places that I thought were a good fit for him,” Duquette added. “The Mets toyed around with it. They weren’t willing to go long-term for him, at least [for] five years, which is where the Yankees end up going. But they got their guy. This is an important step for them. Their main priority this winter [was] Cody Bellinger, [and now he’s] going back to the Yankees.”
Yankees Needed Cody Bellinger’s Versatility
Former MLB player Ryan Spilborghs also believes that the Yankees and Bellinger made the right call by sticking together with the versatile player, who figures to slot back in as New York’s primary left fielder.
“The Yankees haven’t lost this type of player before, and they’re not going to start,” Spilborghs said in a Jan. 21 video posted by MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “They need him. We said this time and time again. Cody Bellinger was pivotal for the Yankees this offseason. He just fits so many different aspects. Left-handed power now gives you some pad for Jasson Domínguez [and] Spencer Jones to get a chance to play in the outfield this year with the New York Yankees as young players.
“If Trent Grisham moves on after this year, because it’s a one-year qualifying offer for Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger can play center field. If Ben Rice fails miserably, you have an opportunity to put Cody Bellinger at first base, right? So you have multiple spots. The Bellinger, if he needs to go to right field, you can put him in right. He has multiple spots where he can fit in a place he’s done well, in a place where he’s respected, in a spot that makes a lot of sense for the Yankees to continue to be productive.”
Yankees Receive Strong Message After Cody Bellinger News