Can Cody Bellinger deliver World Series No. 28 after his $162 million signing? Yankees bet big on former Dodgers champion

Cody Bellinger is returning to the Yankees with a championship mandate. The club signed the former National League most valuable player to a five-year, $162 million contract with opt-outs in an effort to reinforce a team that failed in the 2024 World Series. Bellinger, 30, brings something that several of the current Yankees stars do not have: a World Series ring. He became an all-time Los Angeles Dodgers winner in 2020 and received NL MVP honors in 2019 after hitting 47 home runs with 115 RBIs and a .305 batting average.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees have not been champions since 2009. They made it to the American League Championship Series four times in the past decade and made it back to the World Series in 2024 before losing to the Dodgers in five contests. “I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform,” Bellinger said after signing. “Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization — it really is special," he added.

Cody Bellinger's contract information and playing position in Spring Training

The Yankees acted decisively in the free agency market and secured Bellinger after looking at long-term options through agent Scott Boras. According to MLB.com, the five-year, $162 million deal has some opt-outs, which allows flexibility on both sides. However, Bellinger is expected to slot in the middle of the lineup between Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Paul Goldschmidt. Team officials appreciate his left-handed power, defensive versatility in the outfield and at first base, and especially his experience in the postseason.
In his last stint in New York, Bellinger batted .302 in 80 games at Yankee Stadium and had 18 home runs and 55 RBIs. The Yankees think his ability to hit near Judge gives more strength to run production and balances the lineup, and just maybe do what Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge couldn’t: bring home the World Series title to the Bronx.

Cody Bellinger’s high expectations and World Series run

Bellinger's résumé contains both high performance and recovery. After dislocating his shoulder during the Dodgers' 2020 title celebration, he had surgery and was struggling in 2021, batting at .165. He rebounded with the Chicago Cubs in 2023, hitting .307 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs, proving why he is the most viable option to take a run at the championship. He also has a family link to the franchise. His father, Clay Bellinger, played for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, and he was the winner of two World Series titles.

Off the field, Bellinger continues to sign endorsement contracts with companies such as Nike and Rawlings, joining the ranks as one of the game's marketable veterans. For the Yankees, though, the focus is single-minded. Success in the regular season is not enough anymore. If Bellinger contributes to the delivery of World Series No. 28, his return will not be measured by the value of his contract, but rather by October results.


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