The New York Yankees made a common-sense move in acquiring former MVP Cody Bellinger with some salary relief from the Chicago Cubs ESPN Insider David Schoenfield wrote.

He gave the Yankees a “B” grade for the deal, mostly because of the defensive versatility that Bellinger gives them and the fact they did not give up much to the Cubs to get him.

“Bellinger makes $27.5 million in 2025 and has a $25 million player option for 2026, with the Cubs paying down $2.5 million each year. The Yankees didn't give up much, which tells you Bellinger was really worth only his salary and didn't have much additional value,” Schoenfield wrote. “Still, the Yankees needed a hitter, and Bellinger should help in 2025. Now, let's see what else they do to augment the lineup.”

Bellinger was part of the Yankees' pivot after losing out on free-agent slugger Juan Soto, with the Yankees needing a lefty-bat. Playing at Yankee Stadium with a short right porch will help Bellinger with a few more home runs. Still, Schoenfield isn’t optimistic about Bellinger’s offense returning to his 2019 MVP form – or even his 2023 above-average form.

“He projects as a good player in 2025, similar to the player he was in 2024: .266/.325/.426, 18 home runs in 130 games, 2.2 WAR. In other words: He's only part of a replacement plan for Juan Soto, as Bellinger is about a 5- to 6-win decline in a head-to-head comparison with what Soto contributed this past season,” Schoenfield said.

Bellinger will play in center field, allowing the Yankees to move Aaron Judge to right field, which is less physically demanding.

The Yankees gave up right-hander Cody Poteet, 30, to get Bellinger.