*This content was translated by AI.
The New York Yankees came forward to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won two consecutive World Series titles but are seeking to recruit them. He has strengthened his strength by renewing his contract with proven giant Cody Bellinger (31).
MLB.COM, the official website of the Major League Baseball (MLB), said on the 22nd (Korea time), "Bellinger agreed to an FA contract with the Yankees for a five-year contract period, a total of $162.5 million (about 238.4 billion won)."
The Yankees, who had been quietly spending the stove league due to the burden of the huge salary of the team, could not miss Bellinger.
According to MLB.COM, Bellinger looked at Aaron Judge's locker after signing the contract and said, "I really wanted to come back," adding, "The time I played in the Yankees' uniform was really unforgettable. Everything was special, from Yankee Stadium, fans, clubs, and the locker room culture created by the players. It's a team with a really fun atmosphere," he said.
It is a Yankees that has recruited the world's best players based on their enormous financial power and built a powerful power based on them. The World Series is the most winning team ever, with 27 wins.
However, the World Series championship has been cut off since 2009. He won the American League in 2024, but dropped his head last year when he was eliminated from the Division Series.
Therefore, Bellinger was a resource that could never be missed. The Dodgers' 124th overall pick in the fourth round in 2013, he debuted in 2017 and won the National League's unanimous Rookie of the Year award with 39 home runs and 97 RBIs.
Since then, he has hit 225 home runs in nine seasons in the big league. In 2019, he won the MVP award in the National League with 47 home runs and 115 RBIs, but has since gone downhill. Bellinger, who rebounded by hitting 26 home runs in 2023, moved to the Yankees in a trade ahead of last season and recorded 29 home runs and 98 RBIs and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.814.
Bellinger, who plays the entire outfield position, was the Yankees' top priority considering contract. With this contract, Bellinger will include a $20 million contract bonus and a trade rejection clause in the contract. There is no deferred payment clause. After the end of the 2027 and 2028 seasons, conditions for exercising opt-outs were also included.
According to MLB.COM, the Yankees wanted to re-sign Bellinger based on his athletic ability, personality and versatility. Dodgers general manager Brian Cashman said at the winter meeting, "He was a big influence on our team last year and if he fits our team, I'd like to bring him back."
However, negotiations were not easy as "demon agent" Scott Boras was put forward as a contract agent. Bellinger wanted a seven-year contract, but the Yankees limited it to five years, which Bellinger eventually accepted.
He built a powerful outfield. Aaron Judge will be in right field, Trent Grisham will be in center field, and Bellinger will be in left field. With the acquisition of Bellinger, the Yankees may use promising players such as Jarson Dominguez and Spencer Jones as trade cards.
Manager Aaron Boone said last month, "If there are many good players and there is a lack of seats, we have to find a solution.""If you look at it, competition will play an important role and everything will eventually find its place," he implied.
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*This content was translated by AI.
