It was only a matter of time.
From the moment Cody Bellinger chose to pick up his $27.5 million player option for the 2025 season, rather than becoming a free agent, it became increasingly clear — somewhat ironically — that his clock in Chicago was ticking.
Bellinger’s choice to exercise the option wasn’t especially surprising, considering his modest performance in 2024. He had failed to replicate the star-level production he provided in his first year as a Cub in 2023, and thus it was unclear if he could command similar guaranteed dollars on the open market if he opted out.
But while Bellinger’s decision made sense for the individual, it immediately complicated Chicago’s offseason plans to improve the roster. With an emerging young slugger at first base in Michael Busch and an ascendent defensive wizard in center field in Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs had seemingly found their foundational pieces at Bellinger’s two primary positions. And while Bellinger could in theory play right field, as he did for much of the second half of 2024, Seiya Suzuki — Chicago’s best hitter last season — expressed a preference to play more right field rather than be limited to DH duties. That dynamic seemed to put Bellinger in a precarious position entering 2025.
Far more relevant than Suzuki wanting to play the outfield, though, was Chicago’s desire to rid its budget of Bellinger’s hefty salary and meaningfully improve the roster through other means. That intention became crystal clear last week, when the Cubs acquired star right fielder Kyle Tucker from the Astros, bumping Suzuki back to DH and leaving Bellinger without a logical spot on the roster whatsoever.
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Enter the New York Yankees. It’s not just that a Cubs trade of Bellinger seemed certain to occur at some point this winter; it’s also that the Yankees always seemed like the most logical destination. Sure enough, Bellinger is now a Yankee, with New York acquiring him from Chicago in exchange for 30-year-old right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet. As part of the deal, Chicago also sent $5 million to New York to help cover the remainder of Bellinger’s contract. The majority of money owed to Bellinger, though — which could include an additional year if he picks up his $25 million option for 2026 next winter — will be the Yankees’ responsibility, which was clearly Chicago’s goal with this deal.
New York expressed interest in Bellinger early…