The New York Yankees acquired outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, continuing to stock up on top-tier talent following the free agent move of outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets, sources told The New York Yankees ESPN.

As part of the deal, the Yankees will receive $5 million to offset Bellinger’s salary – he will make $27.5 million in 2025 and has a player option for $25 million in 2026 – and will add right-hander Cody Poteet to the Cubs, sources said.

The acquisition of Bellinger follows the free agent signing of left-hander Max Fried and a trade to the Milwaukee Brewers for All-Star closer Devin Williams. After a World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees have spent the week since Soto’s signing bracing for another run.

Bellinger, 29, is a former National League MVP whose resurgence in 2023 was followed by solid success in 2024. After hitting .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs for the Cubs that year, he declined to opt out of the remaining run trade.

The Cubs had spent the winter seeking a trade partner for Bellinger to free up payroll, hoping to improve a team that went 83-79 this year. The teams spent a lot of time haggling over the amount of money the Cubs would include in a potential deal. Chicago will send $2.5 million this season and another $2.5 million to New York either to cover the buyout if Bellinger doesn’t exercise his player option or to cover his salary if he does .