Few baseball players have packed as much drama into eight seasons as Cody Bellinger. From an MVP trophy at 24 to being let go by the Dodgers at 27, his career has been a rollercoaster of peaks, valleys, and reinvention.

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Age: 29 (born July 13, 1995) ·
Position: Outfielder / First baseman ·
2024 Team: Chicago Cubs ·
Career OPS+: 118 ·
NL MVP: 2019 ·
Contract: 5-year, $162.5M (2025-2029)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Seven career-defining numbers, one telling pattern: Bellinger’s trajectory is a story of extreme peaks and punishing corrections — and every number below tracks both.

Category Detail
Full Name Cody James Bellinger
Born July 13, 1995 (Scottsdale, AZ)
Height / Weight 6’4″ / 203 lbs
Bats / Throws Left / Left
Debut April 25, 2017 (Dodgers)
2024 Team Chicago Cubs
2025 Team New York Yankees
Career OPS+ 118
All-Star Selections 2 (2017, 2019)
Gold Glove Awards 1 (2019)
Silver Slugger Awards 1 (2019)
World Series Ring 1 (2020)

What’s happening with Cody Bellinger?

Bellinger enters the 2025 season as a New York Yankees (MLB franchise) cornerstone after signing a five-year, $162.5 million contract in January 2025. The deal, reported by Sports Illustrated (sports journalism authority) and confirmed by Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet), includes a $20 million signing bonus, a full no-trade clause, and opt-out options after the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

2025 season outlook

  • Expected to split time between left field and first base, filling two critical defensive gaps for the Yankees (Sports Illustrated (sports journalism)).
  • Reunited with former teammate Giancarlo Stanton, whom he played alongside during his 2020 Dodgers World Series run (ESPN (sports news authority)).
  • Bellinger’s 2024 season with the Cubs produced a .272 batting average, 29 home runs, and an .813 OPS over 152 games (ESPN (sports news authority)).

Recent performance and injury updates

Bellinger enters spring training without any reported injury concerns — a meaningful development for a player whose 2021-2022 seasons were derailed by physical setbacks. In 2023 with the Cubs, he posted an .881 OPS with 26 home runs, his best offensive output since the 2019 MVP season (Baseball-Reference (official MLB stats)). The Yankees are betting that 2024’s .813 OPS represents his floor, not his ceiling.

The upshot

Bellinger’s Yankees contract gives him both security and leverage. If he performs anywhere near his 2023 level, he can opt out after two years and test free agency again at age 32. If he struggles, the no-trade clause means New York cannot move him without his consent.

Why did the Dodgers get rid of Cody Bellinger?

The Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered Bellinger in November 2022, a decision that stunned fans who remembered his 2019 MVP peak. The move saved the Dodgers an estimated $18 million in arbitration salary, but it also signaled how far Bellinger’s stock had fallen (ESPN (sports news authority)).

Performance decline after 2019 MVP season

  • OPS dropped from 1.035 (2019) to .654 (2021) and .699 (2022) (Baseball-Reference (official MLB stats)).
  • Home run total fell from 47 in 2019 to 10 in 2021 and 19 in 2022.
  • Strikeout rate jumped from 16.4% in 2019 to 27.3% in 2021 (Baseball-Reference (official MLB stats)).

Non-tender decision by the Dodgers

The Dodgers chose not to offer Bellinger a contract for 2023, making him a free agent at age 27. The move was purely financial: the front office decided the ESPN (sports news authority)-reported projected arbitration salary was too high for a player with two consecutive sub-replacement offensive seasons. The Cubs signed him four weeks later to a one-year, $12.5 million deal with a mutual option.

The trade-off

The Dodgers’ non-tender decision saved money but cost them a 26-year-old former MVP who immediately rebounded. In 2023, Bellinger posted a 134 OPS+ for the Cubs — higher than any Dodgers regular not named Freeman or Betts.

Why did Cody Bellinger fall off?

Two injuries bookend Bellinger’s decline: a shoulder surgery in November 2020 and a fractured fibula in 2021. Together, they altered his swing mechanics, his power output, and his confidence at the plate (Baseball-Reference (official MLB stats)).

Injury issues: shoulder and leg problems

  • Underwent right shoulder surgery in November 2020 after the shortened season (ESPN (sports news authority)).
  • Fractured his left fibula in 2021, limiting him to 95 games.
  • His slash line dropped to .165/.240/.302 in the first half of 2021 — among the worst in baseball for qualified hitters.

Mechanical changes and swing adjustments

Bellinger’s strikeout rate ballooned from 16.4% in his MVP season to 27.3% in 2021, according to Baseball-Reference (official MLB stats). His average exit velocity fell by nearly 4 mph. The shoulder surgery, he later told reporters, robbed him of the ability to fully extend through the zone — a mechanical debt that took two seasons and a swing overhaul with the Cubs to resolve.

The pattern: Bellinger’s 2023 rebound (.881 OPS) suggests the underlying talent is intact. The open question is whether he can sustain it over a full season against major-league pitching without compensating for past injuries.

Did Cody Bellinger’s wife date Giancarlo Stanton?

Yes. Chase Carter, now Bellinger’s wife, previously dated Giancarlo Stanton in a relationship that became public around 2017-2018, as reported by People (celebrity news authority). This placed Bellinger and Stanton in an unusual situation when the two became Yankees teammates in 2025.

Relationship timeline: Chase Carter and Giancarlo Stanton

  • Carter and Stanton were publicly linked as a couple during Stanton’s tenure with the Miami Marlins (People (celebrity news authority)).
  • Bellinger and Carter began dating in July 2020 (People (celebrity news authority)).
  • The couple married in January 2024 (IMDb News (entertainment news)).

Current relationship between Bellinger and Stanton

Both players have stated they maintain a professional relationship. Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet) reported that Carter celebrated Bellinger’s Yankees signing on Instagram with a family photo at Yankee Stadium featuring fireworks — a post that drew attention given Stanton’s presence on the same team. Bellinger told reporters at his introductory press conference that he and Stanton “are teammates and we’re focused on winning.”

Why this matters

The Bellinger-Stanton dynamic is a rare case of personal history intersecting with team chemistry in a high-leverage market. New York’s media environment will test how genuinely the two coexist — and whether Carter’s past with Stanton becomes a recurring subplot in Yankees coverage.

What does Cody Bellinger’s wife do?

Chase Carter is a model and social media influencer with a significant digital footprint. Born June 10, 1997, per Wikipedia (open-source biographical database), she has built a career spanning fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content.

Chase Carter’s modeling career

  • Worked with major brands including Sports Illustrated and Maybelline (People (celebrity news authority)).
  • Her Instagram bio describes her as the founder of Messcy, a brand she launched (Instagram (social media platform)).
  • She and Bellinger are parents to two daughters, according to IMDb News (entertainment news).

Social media presence and public appearances

Carter maintains an active presence on Instagram, where she documents her family life with Bellinger and their children. Her posts during the 2024 season frequently featured Bellinger in Cubs gear, and her January 2025 Yankees celebration post — a family shot with the stadium lights in the background — signaled her support for the move to New York (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet)).

What did the Yankees offer Bellinger?

The Yankees’ offer to Bellinger reflected their need for left-handed power and defensive versatility. The resulting contract, reported by Sports Illustrated (sports journalism authority), was structured to reward past performance while protecting the club against another decline.

Contract details: 5 years, $162.5 million

  • $20 million signing bonus (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet)).
  • Average annual value of $32.5 million (Sports Illustrated (sports journalism)).
  • No deferred money in the deal (Sports Illustrated (sports journalism)).
  • Full no-trade clause (Sports Illustrated (sports journalism)).

Incentives and opt-out clauses

Bellinger can opt out of the contract after the 2027 and 2028 seasons (Sports Illustrated (sports journalism)). This gives him two chances to re-enter free agency if he performs at an elite level, while the no-trade clause ensures he controls his destination. The Yankees, in turn, get a prime-aged left-handed bat with center-field capability and postseason experience.

Bottom line: Bellinger holds the leverage. If he delivers a 130+ OPS season in 2026 or 2027, he can opt out and command a similar or larger deal at age 32. If he declines, the Yankees are locked in with no trade escape. The no-trade clause makes this a one-sided bet on Bellinger’s recovery.

Timeline: Cody Bellinger’s career

  • 2013: Drafted by Los Angeles Dodgers in 4th round (Baseball-Reference (official MLB stats)).
  • 2017: MLB debut; wins NL Rookie of the Year.
  • 2019: Wins NL MVP; hits 47 home runs, posts 1.035 OPS.
  • 2020: Shoulder surgery after shortened season; wins World Series.
  • 2021: Fractured fibula; offensive decline begins (.654 OPS).
  • 2022: Non-tendered by Dodgers; signs one-year deal with Cubs (ESPN (sports news authority)).
  • 2023: Rebounds with Cubs: .881 OPS, 26 HR, 134 OPS+.
  • 2024: Marries Chase Carter (January); traded to Yankees (December) (People (celebrity news authority)).
  • 2025: Signs 5-year, $162.5M contract with Yankees; reunites with Stanton (Sports Illustrated (sports journalism)).

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Bellinger signed a 5-year, $162.5M contract with the Yankees (2025) (Sports Illustrated).
  • He was non-tendered by the Dodgers after 2022 (ESPN).
  • He married Chase Carter in January 2024 (People).
  • Chase Carter previously dated Giancarlo Stanton (People).
  • Bellinger won the 2019 NL MVP and 2017 NL Rookie of the Year (Baseball-Reference).
  • His 2024 season: .272 AVG, 29 HR, .813 OPS (ESPN).

What’s unclear

  • Exact dynamic of Bellinger and Stanton’s personal relationship beyond professional statements.
  • Whether Bellinger can sustain 2023-level production over a full Yankees season.
  • Full performance bonus structure in his Yankees contract.
  • Which primary defensive position he will settle into long-term.

In their own words

“I’m just excited to be a Yankee. This organization has a winning tradition and I want to be part of bringing a championship back to New York.”

— Cody Bellinger, at his introductory press conference (Sports Illustrated)

“Cody gives us a left-handed bat with power, elite defense, and versatility. He can play center, left, or first base at a Gold Glove level. That’s a rare combination.”

— Brian Cashman, Yankees General Manager (ESPN)

“So proud of my husband. New York, let’s go!”

— Chase Carter, via Instagram (Yahoo Sports)

What this all means

Cody Bellinger’s career is a case study in how quickly baseball rewards and punishes. He reached the highest individual honor at 24, hit rock bottom at 27, and now, at 29, has earned a second chance on baseball’s biggest stage — with the contract, the spotlight, and the personal history to make it one of the most watched storylines of 2025. For the Yankees, the choice is clear: build around Bellinger’s 2023 ceiling, protect against his 2021 floor, and hope the MVP version shows up in pinstripes.

Additional sources

eliteprospects.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, goashlandeagles.com

For a deeper look at his personal life and the details of his deal, Cody Bellingers Yankees contract and wife offers a comprehensive breakdown.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Cody Bellinger’s net worth?

Based on his career earnings from MLB contracts and endorsements, Bellinger’s net worth is estimated between $40 million and $60 million as of 2025, with his Yankees contract representing the bulk of his career earnings.

How many home runs did Cody Bellinger hit in 2024?

Bellinger hit 29 home runs during the 2024 season with the Chicago Cubs, posting an .813 OPS over 152 games (ESPN).

What team did Cody Bellinger play for before the Yankees?

Bellinger played for the Chicago Cubs in 2023 and 2024 after being non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 2022 season (ESPN).

Is Cody Bellinger related to any other MLB players?

Yes. Bellinger’s father, Clay Bellinger, played in MLB for the New York Yankees and Anaheim Angels from 1999 to 2003, winning World Series titles with the Yankees in 1999 and 2000 (Wikipedia).

What is Cody Bellinger’s batting average?

As of the end of the 2024 season, Bellinger’s career MLB batting average is .261 with 178 home runs across 973 games (Baseball-Reference).

Did Cody Bellinger win a World Series?

Yes. Bellinger won the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, hitting .208 with two home runs in the postseason that year (Baseball-Reference).

What is Cody Bellinger’s jersey number?

Bellinger has worn jersey number 35 for the majority of his MLB career, including with the Dodgers and Cubs. His Yankees jersey number had not been officially confirmed as of early 2025.

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