Cody Bellinger became the last of the top free-agent hitters to reach a deal, agreeing Wednesday to stay with the New York Yankees for a $162.5 million, five-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.<\/p>\n
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.<\/p>\n
Bellinger gets a $20 million signing bonus payable on April 1, $32.5 million in the first two seasons, $25.8 million in the next two and $25.9 million in 2030. He also has a full no-trade provision.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Bellinger has the right to opt out after the 2027 or 2028 seasons to become a free agent again, but if there is a work stoppage that leads to no games being played in 2027, the agreement specifies the opt outs will shift to after the 2027 and 2028 seasons.<\/p>\n
A two-time All-Star acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs in December 2024<\/a>, Bellinger hit .272 with 29 homers and 98 RBIs last year \u2014 including .302 with 18 homers and 55 RBIs at Yankee Stadium. A left-handed hitter, he played in 149 games in the outfield and seven at first base in his first season since 2022 without a stint on the injured list.<\/p>\n He is a son of former Yankee Clay Bellinger.<\/p>\n Voted the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year and 2019 NL MVP, Bellinger has a .261 average with 225 homers and 695 RBIs in eight seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2018-22), Cubs (2023-24) and the Yankees.<\/p>\n He earned $57.5 million from the $80 million, three-year contract<\/a> he reached with the Cubs before the 2024 season. Bellinger declined a $25 million option for 2026 in favor of a $5 million buyout.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n