Cody Bellinger has been one of the most interesting batters in the American Major League over the last decade, earning titles as the NL Best player and a number of All-Star Game nominations, and proving to be a power hitter with great defensive versatility. As a player who has broken out with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has followed numerous deals of huge free-agent contracts, Bellinger has experienced a number of teams and contract packages, a fact that reveals his value in the market and his flexibility as a financial instrument in baseball.
Cody Bellinger's contract structure: Three-year and $80 million contract
After a good start to the 2023 sason that ended in February 2024, Bellinger signed a 3-year contract with the Chicago Cubs at $80 million. Under this contract, player opt-outs include 2025 and 2026, and this will give him a chance to revert to the free market in case he performs better than the market.
Under the original terms:
- 2024 salary: estimated to be around $30 million.
- 2025 salary: approximately $30 million (including a $2.5 million buyout in case he leaves at the end of the season)
- 2026 salary: approximately $20 million (again with the potential opt-out buyout provisions)
The average annual value (AAV) of the deal is running at around $26.67 million, and it is averaging Bellinger to be ranked higher in terms of paying an everyday player in the MLB during this time.
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Trade to the Yankees and finally turn out
In December 2024, the New York Yankees acquired Bellinger of the Cubs in exchange with Cody Poteet, with Chicago paying a third of his salary and buyout.
He was a force to reckon with again as Bellinger hit 29 homers, 98 RBIs, and a batting average of .272 in the 2025 season, where he played with the Yankees. It is estimated that his salary in New York will be about $27.5 million in 2025.
Bellinger refused to exercise his contract after this season, instead of taking the salary of $25 million in 2026, becoming a free agent again, and allowing him to have a more extensive long-term agreement.
Even though his current contract ensured him of earning a high income up to the year 2025, the projecting analysts think that Bellinger would be capable of getting a larger contract during the next free agency period. The estimated value of a potential contract, based on market demand, contract duration, and annual value, is around $182 million. Bellinger also earns income from an endorsement on top of his team salary, which increases his financial portfolio.