Trade discussions between the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees for outfielder Cody Bellinger have reportedly hit a standstill after initially showing promise. Despite pulling off a trade to acquire Kyle Tucker, the Cubs are not done reshaping their roster and have been actively seeking to move Bellinger and his sizable contract throughout the offseason.
Bellinger, a former MVP, remains a valuable player with a combination of power hitting and defensive versatility. While interest in him was lukewarm earlier in the offseason, teams that missed out on landing Juan Soto may now view Bellinger as an appealing alternative. The Yankees, in particular, seem like a logical fit for Bellinger given their need for an outfield upgrade and his familial ties to the franchise—his father, Clay Bellinger, won two World Series titles with New York.
However, negotiations between the two teams have reportedly reached a stalemate. According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the primary issue is financial. Bellinger is owed $27.5 million for the 2025 season and has a player option worth $25 million for 2026, making his contract a significant burden. The Yankees are likely pushing for the Cubs to absorb part of that salary, a demand that clashes with Chicago’s motivation to offload Bellinger’s deal entirely.
The impasse has left both teams at a crossroads, with Heyman describing the situation as a “who blinks first, if ever” scenario. While the Tucker trade also faced delays before being finalized, it remains uncertain whether the Yankees and Cubs can reach a compromise. If they do, Bellinger’s arrival in New York would fill a key roster need and strengthen their lineup. For now, however, the future of the deal hangs in the balance.
