After a week of negotiations, it appeared like the Yankees and Cubs would have to make a concession in order to finalize a significant trade.
The Cubs were desperate to get rid of former MVP Cody Bellinger, who had a contract for $27.5 million for the upcoming season with a $25 million player option or $5 million buyout for 2026, since the Yankees desperately wanted him to fill a void in left field or first base.
The parties met in the middle of the $10 million impasse on Tuesday afternoon.
Jeff Passan of ESPN.comfirst reported that the Yankees acquired Bellinger from the Cubs to add a powerful left-handed bat to their starting pitching depth, nine days after losing free agency outfielder Juan Soto to the Mets.
The price?
Cody Poteet, a seasoned right-hander who spent the majority of the 2024 season in Triple-A or on the injured list, was the lone player the Yankees had to give up.
According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, Bellinger’s contract will be paid $5 million by the Cubs.
In 130 games last season, Bellinger, 30, hit.266 with 18 home runs, 78 RBI, and a.751 OPS. Although his natural position is center field, he will most likely play left for the Yankees, who are evaluating a number of first basemen to cover that position. Free agents Carlos Santana, Paul Goldschmidt, Christian Walker, and Pete Alonso are among the contenders.
As an additional option, the Yankees could play Bellinger at first base and sign free agent outfielder Anthony Santander, a switch-hitter who hit 44 home runs for the Orioles the previous season.
Former All-Star second baseman Carlos Baerga, who now conducts a podcast, said on X on Tuesday that a deal between the Yankees and Santander would soon be reached.
After hitting.305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBI for the Dodgers, Bellinger—who is above average in the outfield and first base—was named the 2019 NL MVP. After that, he had three consecutive poor seasons, including a horrible one, before he rebounded with strong stats in 2023, his first season with the Cubs (.307 average, 26 home runs, 97 RBI).
The Yankees will be hoping he has another strong season in 25 hitting in a lineup with 2024 AL MVP Aaron Judge, even though his 2024 season wasn’t as excellent.
In five games, four of which he started, Poteet, 30, finished the previous season with a 2.22 ERA and a 3-0 record for the Yankees. He made 13 appearances in the minor leagues, 10 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and three for Double-A Somerset for rehab. He was 3-0 with a 3.40 ERA.
Poteet’s triceps issue kept him on the disabled list from June 15 to September 20.
You can contact Randy Miller at [email protected].
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