Cody Bellinger’s career arc has been a rollercoaster few players experience. After winning the National League MVP in 2019, he was cut loose by the Dodgers just two years later. Now, after a five-year, $162.5 million deal with the New York Yankees, he’s getting a chance to write the next chapter from the Bronx.

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Current team: New York Yankees · Position: Left fielder / first baseman · Age: 31 (born July 13, 1995) · Contract: 5 years, $162.5M

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • The Yankees did not publicly confirm the full financial terms in their announcement (MLB.com (official league site))
  • Bellinger’s exact role and playing time in the Yankees’ outfield remain uncertain (MLB.com (official league site))
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Bellinger will report to Yankees spring training as a left fielder and first baseman (MLB.com (official league site))
  • His contract includes opt-outs after the 2027 and 2028 seasons (MLB.com (official league site))
Contract detail Value
Contract length 5 years
Total value $162.5 million
Signing bonus $20 million
Opt-out years After 2027 and 2028 seasons
No-trade clause Full
Deferrals None

Six contract terms, one takeaway: the Yankees front-loaded the deal to give Bellinger flexibility while keeping the average annual value high for luxury-tax calculations.

What’s happening with Cody Bellinger?

Recent transaction timeline: from Dodgers to free agency to Yankees

Bellinger was non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2022 season and signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs for 2023. After a rebound season, he played 2024 with the Cubs before hitting free agency again. The Yankees, having targeted him as a top winter priority, finalized a five-year, $162.5 million contract in January 2026 (MLB.com (official league site)).

His role with the Yankees in 2026

Bellinger is expected to play left field and first base for the Yankees, adding left-handed power and Gold Glove-caliber defense. The signing was described as a “fresh start” by multiple outlets, including The Guardian (UK news outlet).

The upshot

Bellinger becomes the Yankees’ everyday left fielder, with the upside of a former MVP if he can maintain the form he showed with the Cubs in 2023.

Bottom line: The Yankees are betting that a motivated Bellinger can recapture his MVP-level production in a lineup built for October baseball.

Why did Cody Bellinger fall off?

Shoulder injury and its impact on his swing

Bellinger underwent surgery on his right shoulder in November 2021, which affected his swing mechanics. His batting average dropped from .305 in 2019 to .165 in 2021, and his slugging percentage cratered from .629 to .302 over the same period, according to Spotrac (contract tracking site).

Statistical decline from 2019 MVP to 2021–2024

After winning the NL MVP in 2019, Bellinger’s production fell sharply. He hit .165 in 2021 and .210 in 2022, leading the Dodgers to non-tender him. In 2023 he rebounded to .307 with the Cubs, but his 2024 numbers slipped again, though he remained a serviceable defender.

Adjustments he made to return to form

Bellinger altered his swing path and stance during the 2022–23 offseason, focusing on a more contact-oriented approach. The changes paid off immediately in 2023, but maintaining consistency has been a challenge.

The paradox

Bellinger’s 2023 season showed he can still be an above-average hitter, but his strikeout rate and ground-ball tendencies have made him a streaky producer.

Bottom line: Bellinger’s decline was so severe that the Dodgers, who had won a World Series with him in 2020, decided it was cheaper to cut him loose than to bet on a rebound. For the Yankees, the bet is that his 2023 form is the real Bellinger.

Did Cody Bellinger get married?

Cody Bellinger’s wife: who is Chase Carter?

Yes, Bellinger is married to Chase Carter, a model. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony. No source in the available research confirms the exact date.

Addressing the rumors about a relationship with Giancarlo Stanton

There is absolutely no evidence to support the rumor that Chase Carter ever dated Giancarlo Stanton. The claims circulating on social media are false and have been repeatedly debunked by reputable sports journalists.

What did Yankees offer Bellinger?

The free-agent deal details

The agreement reached on January 21, 2026, is a five-year contract worth $162.5 million, with a $20 million signing bonus, a full no-trade clause, and opt-out clauses after the 2027 and 2028 seasons (The Athletic (in-depth baseball coverage)). The deal contains no deferrals.

Financial terms of his contract with the Yankees

According to MLB Trade Rumors (industry blog), the first two years carry $32.5 million salaries, followed by $25.8 million in each of the next two seasons and $25.9 million in the final season. The average annual value is $32.5 million, per Spotrac (contract tracking site).

Year Salary
2026 $32.5 million
2027 $32.5 million
2028 $25.8 million
2029 $25.8 million
2030 $25.9 million

Five salary figures, one pattern: the Yankees front-loaded the deal to keep luxury-tax hits manageable in later years, while giving Bellinger early opt-outs to maximize his earning potential.

Why did Dodgers get rid of Cody Bellinger?

Declining production and arbitration cost

After hitting .165 in 2021 and .210 in 2022, Bellinger’s offensive value had collapsed. The Dodgers faced an arbitration estimate north of $18 million for 2023 and decided to non-tender him rather than pay a premium for a player who had become a below-replacement-level hitter.

The Dodgers’ decision to non-tender him

On November 18, 2022, the Dodgers non-tendered Bellinger, making him a free agent for the first time. He quickly signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs for the 2023 season.

Cody Bellinger timeline

  • 2013 – Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th round.
  • April 25, 2017 – MLB debut with the Dodgers.
  • 2017 – National League Rookie of the Year.
  • 2019 – National League MVP.
  • 2020 – World Series champion with the Dodgers.
  • November 2021 – Undergoes right shoulder surgery.
  • November 18, 2022 – Non-tendered by the Dodgers.
  • December 2022 – Signs one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.
  • 2023 – Rebounds with a .307 batting average.
  • January 21, 2026 – Agrees to five-year, $162.5M deal with the New York Yankees.
  • January 26, 2026 – Contract finalized.

Clarity: confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Bellinger is a member of the New York Yankees.
  • His contract is 5 years, $162.5M with a $20M signing bonus.
  • He has a full no-trade clause and opt-outs after 2027 and 2028.
  • His wife is Chase Carter.
  • He was non-tendered by the Dodgers after the 2022 season.

What’s unclear

  • The exact future of his playing time in the Yankees’ lineup.
  • Whether the Yankees will publicly release the full financial breakdown.
  • How his shoulder will hold up over the length of the contract.

Quotes on the Bellinger deal

“The Yankees are getting a player who has been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He’s still just 31, and when he’s right, he’s a difference-maker.”

– Anonymous MLB executive, via The Athletic (in-depth baseball coverage)

“I’m excited for a fresh start. The Yankees have a winning culture, and I want to be part of that.”

– Cody Bellinger, in a statement reported by MLB.com (official league site)

Summary: For the Yankees, the Bellinger signing is a calculated bet on a player with a proven MVP ceiling. For Bellinger, the choice is clear: produce at an All-Star level, or trigger the opt-out and test the market again. The Yankees’ lineup now has a left-handed bat with pop and defense, but the pressure to stay healthy and consistent has never been higher.

Related reading: Rafael Devers: Career, Trade, Family & Habits · Billy Beane: Moneyball, Career, and Current Role with the Red Sox

Additional sources

mlb.com, mlb.com, nypost.com, usatoday.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, sports.yahoo.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is Cody Bellinger’s contract with the Yankees?

A five-year, $162.5 million deal with a $20 million signing bonus, opt-outs after 2027 and 2028, and a full no-trade clause.

How many home runs has Cody Bellinger hit in his career?

As of the 2025 season, Bellinger has 178 career home runs, according to Spotrac (contract tracking site).

What team does Cody Bellinger play for?

He plays for the New York Yankees as of the 2026 season.

Who is Cody Bellinger’s father?

His father, Clay Bellinger, is a former MLB player who won two World Series with the Yankees.

Has Cody Bellinger ever been an All-Star?

Yes, he has been selected to the All-Star Game three times (2017, 2019, 2020).

What position did Cody Bellinger play for the Dodgers?

He played primarily center field and first base for the Dodgers.

Is Cody Bellinger married to Giancarlo Stanton’s ex-wife?

No, that rumor is false. Bellinger is married to Chase Carter, a model, and there is no evidence she ever dated Stanton.