Cody Bellinger is set to rejoin the New York Yankees.
The outfielder, who was a free agent, reportedly finalized a five-year agreement worth $162.5 million to come back to the Bronx this Wednesday, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN, following his decision to exit the concluding year of his prior deal.
Passan states that the fresh agreement for Bellinger features provisions for early termination after the second and third years, a comprehensive no-trade provision, and an initial signing bonus of $20 million.
This agreement signifies the Yankees’ success in retaining both of their free-agent outfielders. Trent Grisham, the projected starting center fielder for 2025, accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer earlier during the off-season, indicating that supporters can anticipate an outfield trio of Aaron Judge, Grisham, and Bellinger once more at Yankee Stadium in 2026, with Jasson Domínguez positioned as a future prospect.
Bellinger’s arrival with the Yankees last offseason through a trade was considered a calculated risk. His career trajectory has included both an MVP honor and being released by a competitive team despite that team needing a player in his specific role. He topped the National League in Wins Above Replacement (according to Baseball Reference) during one campaign, only to be placed 814th out of 815 participants just two years subsequent.
In 2022, the Dodgers opted not to offer him a contract after yet another underperforming year, which paved the way for a comeback season in 2023 with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs subsequently awarded him an $80 million, three-year deal. Nevertheless, following a poor showing in 2024, they chose to part ways, culminating in a trade that brought him to the Yankees for a minimal acquisition cost.
Bellinger experienced another strong resurgence in a different environment during 2025. His offensive performance at Yankee Stadium was notable, leading him to achieve his highest numbers in home runs (29), total bases (282), and walks (57) since his MVP-winning season in 2019. This level of output, coupled with his versatility across all three outfield spots, made opting out of his existing contract an obvious choice.
Although several clubs showed interest in Bellinger—including the Dodgers, who ultimately secured Kyle Tucker—the Yankees managed to finalize the agreement, ensuring Bellinger’s return to the Bronx. A player of 30 years with a record of injuries and fluctuating performance might represent a high-risk investment, yet the Yankees observed the potential benefits directly and chose to pursue this opportunity once more.
