Cody Bellinger has been an integral part of the New York Yankees' success this season. After an NL Rookie of the Year trophy in 2017 and earning NL MVP honors in 2019, the versatile 30-year-old's career has been a bit hot and cold.
To be fair, injuries definitely played a role, but there is also a reason why he had to settle for a Scott Boras special: a three-year $80 million deal loaded with opt-outs when he re-upped with the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2024 season.
There's also a reason the Yankees were able to acquire him for a song, sending Cody Poteet to the Cubs in what amounted to a mere salary dump.