Free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million contract to return to the New York Yankees, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday.
Per ESPN, Bellinger’s deal includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons, a $20 million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause. USA Today reported that Bellinger would receive $32.5 million in both 2026 and 2027.
Represented by agent Scott Boras, Bellinger became a free agent after turning down his $25 million player option for 2026, according to Spotrac figures.
Bellinger, 30, batted .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and 13 steals last season. He played in 152 games, his most since his 2019 Most Valuable Player campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The versatile defender started 38 games in center field, 48 in right and 59 in left, in addition to three games at first base during the regular season.
Bellinger joined the Yankees in a trade in December 2024 that sent right-hander Cody Poteet to the Chicago Cubs. He signed a three-year, $80 million deal with the Cubs before the 2024 season that included opt-outs after the first and second years.
The two-time All-Star is a lifetime .261 hitter with 225 homers and 695 RBIs in 1,157 games with the Dodgers (2017-22), Cubs (2023-24) and Yankees. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2017.
–Field Level Media
