The New York Yankees have given their fans a reason to smile after securing the signing of their top offseason target. Cody Bellinger will remain part of the team with a multimillion-dollar contract that features one particularly noteworthy aspect.
The Yankees aren’t afraid to pay
That’s exactly what the team has shown by handing out a five-year, $162.5 million contract, with an average annual value (AAV) of $30.5 million and a $20 million signing bonus.
What stands out is that the Yankees will pay the full amount without deferring any portion. In other words, Cody Bellinger will receive his $30.5 million per year-a strategy that draws attention because teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets have used deferred payments for their superstars.
On the other hand, Bellinger will have a full no-trade clause, meaning he would have to personally approve any trade to another MLB team.
Cody Bellinger originally arrived in New York via a trade with the Chicago Cubs. His previous contract, signed in 2024, was for three years and $80 million; he could have stayed without issue but chose to enter MLB free agency.
Bellinger’s return is the most welcome news of this Yankees offseason. Now, the team receives a major offensive boost after Trent Grisham accepted a one-year, $22 million qualifying offer.
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