Yankees on a warpath: Cody Bellinger trade is latest big move since Juan Soto exit

The New York Yankees, who just nine days ago were left standing at the altar when All-Star right fielder Juan Soto departed for the crosstown Mets, continued to take out their vengeance on the rest of the league Tuesday by acquiring former MVP Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

The Yankees, who sent right-hander Cody Poteet to the Cubs while also receiving $5 million in the trade, have informed Bellinger that he will be their new everyday center fielder, and play occasional games at first base, shifting two-time MVP Aaron Judge back to right field.

The move was just the latest in the Yankees’ back-up plan to Soto by improving their roster in numerous ways, signing left-handed starter Max Fried, acquiring All-Star closer Devin Williams from Milwaukee, and now Bellinger.

The Yankees and Cubs, which opened trade talks after Soto signed his 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, had reached a stalemate when the Yankees kept demanding the Cubs pay $10 million of the potential $52.5 million remaining on Bellinger’s contract. They finally decided to compromise with the two sides splitting the difference.

The Cubs, who acquired All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros last week, plan to use the savings from the Bellinger trade to acquire another starting pitcher.  Bellinger is scheduled to be paid $27.5 million in 2025 and can earn $25 million in 2026, or $5 million if he opts out of the contract. The Cubs will pay $2.5 million of his salary next season, and $2.5 million of his 2026 salary or buyout.

MORE: Could this young MLB star become first $1 billion player?

The Yankees now are expected to sign a free-agent first baseman, Yankee executives say, and have opened talks with Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana and Paul Goldschmidt. Alonso, who hit 34 home runs last season, is the only one of the four who has not won a Gold Glove.

Bellinger, a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, hit .266 with 18 homers and 76 RBI last season, a drop-off from his first season with the Cubs when he hit .307 with 26 homers and 97 RBI. The Cubs had hoped that he would opt out of his contract, and when he didn’t, decided to trade him and began shopping him extensively at the GM Meetings after the World Series.

Bellinger comes to the Yankees 23 years after his father, Clay Bellinger, played for New York while winning two World Series titles.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cody Bellinger Yankees trade: NY gets former MVP in deal with Cubs