Yankees get their man! Cody Bellinger agrees blockbuster five-year, $162m deal to stay in New York
The New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger are in agreement on a huge five-year, $162.5 million contract to keep the outfielder in the Bronx.
Bellinger has been one of the most highly sought-after free agents of the winter and New York had been desperate to keep him in the building after an impressive 2025 season.
Initial reports claimed Bellinger wanted a seven-year deal but ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan has now revealed that the Yankees have got their way, with the first-baseman putting pen to paper on a five-year contract.
The Yankees had initially offered a deal in the region of $150m, but settled at $162.5m and five years in a huge boost for Aaron Boone and his 2026 roster.
The Mets, Phillies, Angels and Dodgers had all been credited with an interest in the 30-year-old during the offseason, and it had looked increasingly unlikely that he would remain a Yankee.
Last week, Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240m deal with the Dodgers, and the New York Mets landed on three years and $126m for Bo Bichette, taking two potential Bellinger replacements off the market for the Yankees.
Cody Bellinger (right) is returning to the New York Yankees in a huge boost for the team
The left fielder has put pen to paper on a five-year, $162.5 million contract in New York
ESPN reported that the Bronx Bombers were 'working off the assumption Bellinger would not return for the 2026 season' but talks continued and a deal was reached at the start of the week.
The contract includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons, per Passan's reporting, and Bellinger will also receive a $20m signing bonus and a full no-trade clause.
Bellinger staying in the Bronx is likely to cement his spot in left field, pushing Jasson Dominguez out of a daily role in the lineup.
Earlier in the offseason, Bellinger had turned down his $25m player option, and his new deal has an average annual value of $32.5m.
In 2025, he hit behind Aaron Judge for most of the year, batting .272 with 29 home runs and an .813 OPS in 152 games.
Bellinger won the World Series in the Covid-affected 2020 season with the LA Dodgers
The 30-year-old quickly became a fan favorite in the Bronx after being traded by the Cubs
Bellinger is a World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers (in 2020) after starting his MLB career with the team in 2017.
He became a free agent at the end of the 2022 season and signed an initial one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, later agreeing a further three-year, $80m deal.
On December 17, 2024, he was traded to the Yankees in exchange for Cody Poteet and $5m in cash considerations, and he has become a fan favorite in New York.
The outfielder is a two-time All-Star - both with the Dodgers - and was voted the National League MVP in 2019.
