Cody Bellinger Re-Signing with Yankees on 5-Year, $162.5 Million Deal Fails To Impress Fans: “Not a Championship Team Still”

Cody Bellinger has returned to the Bronx. On Wednesday night, reports emerged that the 2-time All-Star had re-signed with the New York Yankees on a 5-year, $162.5 million deal, making him one of the biggest signings of the team this offseason.

The outfielder had an impressive time in his first season with the team. After being traded by the Chicago Cubs in December 2024, Bellinger made his debut for the Yankees last season.

In 152 games, he hit 29 home runs and had 98 RBIs while batting with a .272/.334/.480 slash line. He even showcased his defensive brilliance while playing in all 3 outfield positions.

Following the end of the season, Bellinger would opt-out of his contract and try free agency. From the start, the Yankees remained heavily focused on him.

Earlier in the offseason, reports emerged that he and his agent, Scott Boras, were seeking a $400 million deal for him. Later it was said that they were looking for a 7-year deal.

A few days ago, reports claimed that the Yankees were willing to let him walk away if he did not accept their latest $160 million offer. This came after talks of the New York Mets being interested in him surfaced up.

The Yankees now have their man. On Wednesday, he re-signed with the team on a $162.5 million deal and will return to the Bronx for his second season in 2026.

Cody Bellinger remains a Yankee! pic.twitter.com/tStvxrlv3x

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) January 21, 2026

According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, Bellinger will have opt-out options after the 2nd and 3rd season. He has a full no-trade clause and will receive a $20 million signing bonus.

Cody Bellinger's deal with the Yankees is for five years and $162.5 million, sources tell ESPN. There are opt-outs after the second and third season, a $20M signing bonus and a full no-trade clause.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 21, 2026

Social media reacts to Cody Bellinger re-signing with the Yankees

Cody Bellinger will remain a New York Yankees star in 2026. The former National League MVP agreed to return to them on Wednesday on a 5-year, $162.5 million deal. This development failed to impress fans as some of them were not happy with it.

On X, several users debated this signing and expressed that the team was still the same as last season. One user wrote, “Not a championship team still,” while making their feelings known regarding it.

Check out that and some more reactions regarding Bellinger returning to the Yankees from X below:

Uh ok cool I guess
Not a championship team still

— Alizée (@evilded1987) January 21, 2026

Dumbass waited this long to take the offer he could’ve had a month ago lol

— gabbagool (@HalSellTheTeam) January 21, 2026

Congrats Yankees! You have the same team now!

— Howard Limon (@howard_limon) January 21, 2026

Oh no, the 2025 Yankees are back (with a worse bullpen and Grandpa Cole) Put the league on notice!

— LoserMetsFan (@losermetsfan) January 21, 2026

Now maybe they’ll actually make a move and get somebody pic.twitter.com/dCz603GuFr

— JohnnyB (@_J0HnB_) January 21, 2026

I like Bellinger I do, but i would have passed on this. We get burned on these deals all the time

— Basketcasez (@Basketcasez_) January 21, 2026

Now what are you doing to make the team actually better?

— AMike (@aidanmikeny) January 21, 2026

Still a horrible offseason, they need a Ernie clement type of hitter and trade for a starter

— yankz (@yankzztv) January 21, 2026

Still an overpay. I love Belli but this is just too much money.

— Juju (@Jujutalksball) January 21, 2026

Thank god dude if only we could get a decent hitting shortstop and third base

— Charlie Vargas (@VargasCharlie88) January 22, 2026

Bellinger was the one name the Yankees were focused on heavily during the offseason. Apart from his re-signing, the only other major move the team has seen so far is the return of Trent Grisham through the qualifying offer.

The fans pointed this out and urged the team management to sign some more top names before the season begins in March.

After re-signing Cody Bellinger, Yankees suffer another blow in offseason

The New York Yankees were finally successful in retaining Cody Bellinger. However, just after his deal, they suffered another blow in the offseason.

Apart from re-signing Bellinger, the Yanks were interested in bringing a starting pitcher to the team. With starters Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole both expected to return by mid-May, the team was looking to add an arm through the trade.

After losing out on Miguel Cabrera, the team was looking at Freddy Peralta. The 29-year-old went 17-6 last season and led the National League in wins.

Despite having an interest in him, the Yankees were unable to bring him in as the New York Mets swooped in and managed to land a trade deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Queens-based side roped in Peralta and Tobias Myers in exchange for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat.

The Mets have acquired Freddy Peralta from the Brewers according to Jeff Passan.

Another trade target for the Yankees off the board.#Yankees pic.twitter.com/MpzPuAXru4

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) January 22, 2026

One big name the Yankees can still target is Framber Valdez. The former Houston Astros star is still a free agent and has not signed with any team. At the moment, the Baltimore Orioles are linked with a move for him. The Bronx Bombers could try for him.

Also Read:

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Left “Sad” Following Bo Bichette’s $126 Million Deal with Mets
• Colin Cowherd Defends Dodgers Amid Uproar Following Signing of Kyle Tucker on $240 Million Deal