The Yankees are bringing back a former MVP.
According to Passan, there are opt-outs after the second and third seasons, as well as a $20-million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause.
Bellinger is coming off a strong 2025 with the Yankees, in which he hit .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and 25 doubles.
The 30-year-old provided a boost on both sides of the ball in the Bronx, stabilizing New York’s lineup behind Aaron Judge while spending time defensively in all three outfield spots and at first base.
Bellinger landed in New York last off-season after the Yankees swung a trade for the left-handed batter with the Chicago Cubs — a deal that provided some salary relief on the North Side. Bellinger declined a $25-million player option for 2026 to re-enter free agency.
After winning NL Rookie of the Year as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and MVP in 2019, Bellinger battled injury and underperformance through his next three seasons on the West Coast. That led the Dodgers to non-tender him before his final year of arbitration, making the former fourth-round pick a free agent.
Bellinger then signed with the Cubs and bounced back in 2023, earning a top-10 MVP finish the second Silver Slugger award of his career. He wasn’t as productive in 2024, partly leading to the salary dump to the Yankees.
