The New York Yankees have finalized a deal to acquire outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. The move came after the Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker from the Astros, creating an outfield logjam that made Bellinger’s salary a priority for the team.
Bellinger, who has never replicated his 2019 MVP campaign in Los Angeles, offers a significant upgrade over some of the bats at the bottom of the Yankees’ order. The team announced on Tuesday that he will play center field, sliding Aaron Judge back to right field, where he can utilize his cannon arm and reduce the distance he covers.
The move is a win-win for the Yankees from a positional standpoint, allowing them to devote time to Jasson DomÃnguez’s development in left field. The Cubs are paying $5 million, including $2.5 million per year, to complete the deal.
However, determining the exact effect of this deal on the Yankees’ payroll is complex due to Bellinger’s option and potential CBT hit. Using a $26 million average annual value for his 2025 salary, the team’s payroll rises to just over $289 million, leaving them with limited room to maneuver before exceeding the fourth CBT threshold.
The Yankees still have two glaring holes on the right side of the infield, and adding another player could put their payroll above the “Steve Cohen Tax” rate. Principal owner Hal Steinbrenner has expressed aversion to making large additions due to tax concerns. The team is exploring alternatives, including releasing Marcus Stroman or trading other players, but a clear plan remains uncertain at this time.
Source: https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/12/18/24323990/yankees-analysis-cody-bellinger-trade-cubs-payroll-roster-future-moves-center-field-first-base