Cody Bellinger doesn’t seem like the vindictive type. Still, the New York Yankees may want to make sure they remain the left-handed slugger’s current team, after watching him make history against a former one.
Bellinger, who was traded by the Chicago Cubs to New York last December, faced his old teammates for the first time on Friday at Yankee Stadium. And it was sure to be a memorable one for Bellinger, no matter what actually happened between the lines.
“I have a lot of good relationships over there,” said Bellinger, who was seen hugging several Cubs as they took batting practice hours before the game. “It’s really a fun group of guys. I had an unbelievable time in Chicago. I love all of those guys over there. It was good to see a majority of them today and share a few laughs. It was cool.”
The Cubs probably didn’t think it was so cool after the game.
Cody Bellinger Makes MLB History With 3-Homer Game Against Former Team
Bellinger went 3-for-5 in the 11-0 rout, hitting three home runs and driving in six. It would have been four home runs if not for a great leaping catch at the wall by Chicago left fielder Kyle Tucker, but Bellinger still etched his name in the record books, becoming the first player in MLB history to launch a trio of homers the first time facing his former team.
Not that Bellinger had any extra incentive to show the Cubs what they were missing.
“No, no revenge,” he said. “Ultimately, it was fun to be out there. I saw a bunch of guys I haven’t seen in a while. I shared a bunch of good memories the past two years.”
Still, if the Yankees weren’t already planning to lock Bellinger down for the foreseeable future, efforts like that are likely to push that decision to the forefront.
Bellinger, who turned 30 on Sunday, is in the second season of a three-year, $80 million contract that he signed with the Cubs, which includes a $25 million player option for next season. Given the success he is enjoying so far in 2025 – slashing .282/.336/.494 with 16 home runs, 54 RBIs and nine stolen bases through 88 games – it certainly seems possible that the former National League Most Valuable Player will opt out of the final season if he continues at that pace during the second half.
Yankees Insider Urges Team to Sign Cody Bellinger to Contract Extension
Thomas Carannante with the Yankees-focused FanSided blog Yanks go Yard suggests that general manager Brian Cashman take that concern off the plate by signing the outfielder to a five-year, $140 million extension.
“(I)t’s time to start seriously thinking about this because Bellinger has fit like a glove since the day he touched down in the Bronx,” Carannante wrote.
Ryan Garcia of the Fireside Yankees podcast agrees, touting Bellinger as “exactly what the Yankees have needed this year.” Garcia also stressed in amazement that the Yankees were able to get Bellinger and cash considerations from Chicago in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet, who is no longer even with the Cubs.
“Cody Bellinger has been a well-rounded player who contributes value on all sides of the ball,” Garcia said. “And given that he only cost the Yankees Cody Poteet, who the Cubs have already DFA’d, this is looking like one of Brian Cashman’s better trades.”
And it would age even nicer if Bellinger were to remain in pinstripes for several more seasons.
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