Source: Yankees' Bellinger to opt out of contract

As expected, New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger plans to opt retired of his declaration and go a escaped cause adjacent month, a root told ESPN.

Bellinger has a $25 cardinal subordinate enactment for adjacent season. After a rebound play successful his archetypal twelvemonth successful pinstripes, helium presumably volition person wide involvement successful escaped bureau -- it should output a lucrative multi-year contract.

The Yankees acquired Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs past December. For the Cubs, helium was a wage dump days aft they acquired Kyle Tucker.

For the Yankees, helium was portion of the swift pivot from Juan Soto. In the end, the 30-year-old 2019 NL MVP ended up being their second-most invaluable player.

Hitting down Aaron Judge astir of the season, Bellinger batted .272 with 29 location runs and an .813 OPS successful 152 games successful 2025. He was particularly productive against left-handed pitching contempt hitting left-handed, starring each left-handed hitters successful on-base percent (.415) and slugging (.601) against lefties.

He was besides 1 of the sport's astir apical defenders: Bellinger accumulated 7 Outs Above Average and 8 Defensive Runs Saved betwixt the 3 outfield positions and archetypal base. He added 13 steals successful 15 attempts. His 4.9 fWAR was tied with Kyle Schwarber for 18th successful the majors and 2nd connected the Yankees down Judge.

Bellinger signed a three-year, $80 cardinal -- with opt outs aft the archetypal and 2nd years -- with the Cubs earlier the 2024 season. He had declined the Cubs' qualifying connection earlier successful the offseason.

Other Yankees expected to scope escaped bureau see outfielder Trent Grisham, archetypal baseman Read Entire Article