Cubs trade Cody Bellinger to Yankees |
The Chicago Cubs are still making moves this offseason.
Veteran outfielder Cody Bellinger has been traded to the New York Yankees for righty reliever Cody Poteet. Bellinger hit .266 with 18 homers, 78 RBIs, and a .751 OPS in 130 games in 2024. The 30-year-old Poteet pitched in five games with a 2.22 ERA and 16 strikeouts last season. In three MLB seasons, he has a 3.80 ERA and is under team control through 2028. The Cubs reportedly will pick up $2.5 million of Bellinger's contract for the next two seasons. He will make $27.5 million in 2025 and has a $25 million player option for 2026. This still gives Hoyer over $25 million to use for more pitching help and possibly a veteran third baseman in 2025. Roster Resource has the Cubs luxury tax payroll sitting at $191, which leaves them about $50M underneath the first tier of the luxury tax. This outcome is KINDA like - but not exactly like! - Cody Bellinger had opted out of his deal, and then the Cubs signed Cody Poteet to a two-year, $5 million deal. Here's how the Cubs lineup stands after the reported Cody Bellinger trade. pic.twitter.com/i6WpdfvvTN "That money that they save on Bellinger can be freed up to do other things."
HOWEVER, they like to reserve $8-10M for in-season pick-ups/bonuses/escalators.
So that's roughly $40M left to spend this winter.
Bruce Levine on how the Cubs will spend the rest of the offseason. pic.twitter.com/nGN71Erl95
