The former National League MVP is heading to the Bronx where the Yankees will take on the majority of his $27.5 million salary. Chicago also gave New York $5 million as part of the trade to help with Bellinger's payday.
After losing outfielder Juan Soto, the Yankees immediately filled a hole in their outfield with Bellinger coming off a solid season in which he slashed .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs and 78 RBI in 133 games for the Cubs.
Bellinger is full of accolades. He's a former two-time Silver Slugger recipient (2019, 2023) and All-Star (2017, 2019), NL MVP (2019), Rooke of the Year (2017), and Gold Glover (2019).
The eight-year veteran has a $25 million player option for 2026. If he decides to opt in and stay with New York then he will become an unrestricted free agent the following year in 2027.
Poteet will now be playing for his third team in just four professional seasons. He threw a solid 2.22 ERA in just five appearances (four starts) for the Yankees last season but gave up eight walks to 16 strikeouts in 24.1 innings.