The New York Yankees re-signed Cody Bellinger this past offseason to ensure the outfielder remains in the Bronx after a stellar 2025 MLB season. Last campaign, Bellinger posted a batting average of .272 with 160 hits, 29 homers, 98 RBIs, and 89 runs scored in 152 games in 2025, per StatMuse.
As a result, the Yankees couldn’t afford to see that bat depart their lineup in the offseason. In January, Bellinger and New York agreed on a five-year, $162.5 million contract, per ESPN. Furthermore, the deal includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons, a $20 million signing bonus, and a full no-trade clause.
Bellinger showed that he can hit behind Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, and while speaking with YES Network, he shared what he’s learn from providing protection for the team’s captain in the lineup.
“I mean, intentionally walked, walking, getting hits,” Bellinger told Meredith Marakovits. “I think for me one, I just had a front‑row seat to what he does, and you can learn a lot from him, you can learn a lot from his swing, how he prepares, and ultimately, talking to [Aaron Boone] a lot of the time late in the game, like, ‘Hey, what do you think?’ and playing the game a little bit because obviously they’re not going to let him beat you, and they’re going to pitch to the guys around him.”
Yankees Have Close Dressing Room Heading Into 2026 Season
Furthermore, Bellinger’s return to New York this past offseason was part of the front office’s decision to run the team back that won 94 games last season. Despite winning over 90 games, the Yankees didn’t win the AL East and fell in the ALDS. As a result, they are hoping that this 2026 season turns out differently.
Bellinger also spoke about how close the team is which might have played a role in the decision to run it back one more time.
“It’s huge,” Bellinger added. “I’ve been a part of some really, really good locker rooms, and I really think it’s the key to the success. We’re here: 162 games, good days, bad days, you know, good parts, bad parts. You’ve got to stick with each other. You’ve got to play for each other. And that’s what we do a really good job of here.”
Reason for Cody Bellinger Re-signing
Recently, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman explained that Bellinger’s versatility was a major reason for wanting to keep him.
“He covers us in so many different ways,” Cashman said in a video that MLB Network Radio posted on Feb. 1 . “He’s a Swiss army knife on the defensive side with above‑average defense in left [field], center [field], [and] first [base]. Again, it gives our manager, Aaron Boone, a lot of flexibility as the unforeseen starts to occur when the season starts to go. We have coverage in a lot of spots that way. Offensively, he can bat in the middle of the lineup, and he’s a lefty.
“Obviously, we have a lot of strikeouts in a lineup, so he’s a contact‑oriented hitter with pop that is not only good against right‑handers, but also left‑handers as well. He’s not a situation where you get neutralized. He just checks a lot of boxes, as you just said. Handling New York is obviously vitally important, too, because not everybody can do.”
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