of new york yankees and outfielder cody bellinger Officials told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Wednesday that an agreement was reached on a five-year, $162.5 million contract, ending a feud between the teams that had hoped to reunite all winter.

The deal includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons, a $20 million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause, according to sources.

Bellinger is expected to return as the Yankees’ primary left fielder — he started more games than anyone else last season (59) — and will be stripped of that position. Jason Dominguez From everyday roles.

Yankees officials have publicly maintained that they are ready to add Dominguez, a switch-hitter who was once a top prospect, as their full-time left fielder, despite major defensive lapses and struggles with right-handed pitching during his rookie year. But retaining Bellinger was a priority from the beginning of the offseason, as he declined his $25 million player option for 2026 and became a free agent after a successful first season in the Bronx.

hit from behind aaron judge Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and an .813 OPS in 152 games for most of the year. He performed particularly well against left-handed pitchers, leading all left-handed hitters in on-base percentage (.415) and slugging percentage (.601) against left-handed pitchers.

He was also one of the top defenders in the sport. Bellinger got seven above-average outs between three outfield positions and first base, and saved eight defensive runs. His 4.9 fWAR was tied for runner-up National League MVP Kyle Schwarber He finished 18th in the majors, second best in his career behind the 7.8 fWAR he posted in his 2019 MVP season.

Bellinger, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, had hoped to convert his strong performance into a seven-year contract ahead of his age-30 season. He has been adamant in recent weeks as the Yankees rejected their offer of a five-year contract.

For Bellinger, the deal is the biggest payday of his major league career, a nine-year journey across the nation’s three largest markets with extraordinary peaks and troughs.

He entered the majors with this los angeles dodgers He quickly found success and was named the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year. Two years later, he was named National League MVP.

Then, his career fell apart when he injured his shoulder while celebrating a home run during the 2020 World Series. After undergoing surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder and battling various other injuries over the next three seasons, Bellinger batted .203 with a .648 OPS and 2.1 fWAR in 295 games.

This performance resulted in the Dodgers not signing him after the 2022 season. He was given three years to hit 47 home runs, a 1.035 OPS, and a 7.8 fWAR before winning MVP in a close game. Christian Yelich.

Beringer is chicago cubs He was given a one-year contract worth $17.5 million guaranteed later that offseason. Finally healthy, he bounced back in his new environment, hitting .307 with 26 home runs and an .881 OPS, good enough for 10th place in National League MVP voting. However, no long-term deal surfaced, instead re-signing him to a three-year, $80 million contract with a player opt-out clause after the first and second years.

Last December, the Cubs traded Bellinger to the Yankees for a right-handed pitcher after he leaves in 2024. cody poteet. The Cubs asked for a salary reduction within days of acquiring him. Kyle Tucker from houston astros. The Yankees were looking for an outfielder as part of a quick pivot. Juan Soto.

Based on fWAR calculations, Bellinger became the team’s second most valuable player in New York with a brilliant all-around skill set that convinced the organization he was worth the investment.

He was the fifth player the Yankees re-signed this offseason, after outfielders. Trent Grisham,left handed Ryan Yarbroughutility man Amed Rosario and right handed paul blackburn.