
Cody Bellinger: $162.5M Yankees Contract & Wife Chase Carter
Few MLB stars have seen their personal and professional lives intersect quite like Cody Bellinger, whose five-year, nine-figure contract and clubhouse dynamic including his wife’s former partner make the 2025 New York Yankees season anything but ordinary. Here’s a clear-eyed look at the numbers, the relationships, and what’s actually known.
Born: July 13, 1995 ·
Current Team: New York Yankees ·
Position: Outfielder / First Baseman ·
2025 Contract: $162.5 million, 5 years ·
Wife: Chase Carter
Quick snapshot
- Bellinger is married to model Chase Carter (People (celebrity and human-interest reporting))
- Chase Carter previously dated Yankees teammate Giancarlo Stanton (OutKick (sports commentary))
- Bellinger won the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year award (MLB.com (official league site))
- He was named National League MVP in 2019 (Baseball-Reference (statistics reference))
- Whether Bellinger has officially signed the $162.5M deal or remains in free agency (Times of India (general news))
- How the past relationship between Carter and Stanton ended (OutKick (sports commentary))
- Bellinger’s exact playing-time split between outfield and first base in 2025 (Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage))
- January 2025: Bellinger reportedly agreed to a 5-year, $162.5M deal with the Yankees (Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage))
- Bellinger is expected to slot into the Yankees lineup as an everyday outfielder and occasional first baseman, pending final contract confirmation (Yahoo Sports (sports news))
8 key data points, and the pattern is clear: Bellinger’s career arc is defined by huge highs, a rebuilding period in Chicago, and now a high-stakes return to the spotlight in New York.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Born | July 13, 1995 | Baseball-Reference (statistics reference) |
| Height / Weight | 6 ft 4 in / 203 lbs | MLB.com (official league site) |
| Batting / Throwing | Left / Left | Baseball-Reference (statistics reference) |
| Draft | 2013, Los Angeles Dodgers, 4th round | MLB.com (official league site) |
| Current Team | New York Yankees | Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage) |
| 2017 NL Rookie of the Year | Yes | MLB.com (official league site) |
| 2019 NL MVP | Yes | Baseball-Reference (statistics reference) |
| Spouse | Chase Carter | People (celebrity and human-interest reporting) |
Did Cody Bellinger’s wife date Giancarlo Stanton?
People magazine reported that Bellinger began dating Chase Carter in July 2020, and the couple has two daughters together (People (celebrity and human-interest reporting)). Multiple outlets have noted that Carter was previously in a relationship with Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, spanning roughly 2018 to 2019 (OutKick (sports commentary)).
Who is Chase Carter?
- Chase Carter is a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model and social media influencer.
- She and Bellinger met on social media around 2017 and remained in touch before meeting in person in 2020 (Times of India (general news)).
- The couple got engaged in June 2023 and married in December 2023 (People (celebrity and human-interest reporting)).
What is the reported history between Chase Carter and Giancarlo Stanton?
- Times of India reported that Carter and Stanton were in a relationship from 2018 to 2019 (Times of India (general news)).
- Stanton was traded to the Yankees in December 2017, well before that relationship (MLB.com (official league site)).
- The timeline means Carter and Stanton’s relationship occurred while Stanton was already a Yankee, and years before Bellinger joined the team.
Two players, one shared personal history, and a clubhouse where both must perform. The story is less about drama and more about how professionals navigate overlapping lives.
What’s happening with Cody Bellinger?
As of late January 2025, Bellinger is at the center of a major Yankees transaction. Sports Illustrated and Yahoo both report a 5-year, $162.5 million agreement (Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage)), though a Times of India story suggests the deal may not be finalized (Times of India (general news)).
Where is Cody Bellinger playing in 2025?
- Expected to play outfield (center field and corner spots) and see time at first base.
- The Yankees acquired him via trade from the Chicago Cubs in 2024 before negotiating the current contract.
What are Bellinger’s recent stats?
Bellinger’s recent performance shows a bounce-back in 2023 followed by a slight regression in 2024.
| Season | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (CHC) | .266 | 18 | 78 | .782 |
| 2023 (CHC) | .307 | 26 | 97 | .881 |
| 2022 (LAD) | .210 | 19 | 68 | .654 |
Sources: Baseball-Reference (statistics reference)
Bellinger’s production has been volatile – an MVP-level 2019, a career-low 2021, and a resurgence in Chicago. The Yankees are betting on the bounce-back version.
The pattern: Bellinger’s performance has been volatile, making the Yankees’ investment a calculated risk.
Why did the Dodgers get rid of Cody Bellinger?
The Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered Bellinger in November 2022, making him a free agent, after his offensive numbers declined sharply from his MVP peak (MLB.com (official league site)).
What was Cody Bellinger’s performance with the Dodgers?
- 2017: .267 AVG, 39 HR, 97 RBI, Rookie of the Year.
- 2019: .305 AVG, 47 HR, 115 RBI, NL MVP.
- 2020–2022: declining OPS+ of 126, 73, 83, respectively (Baseball-Reference (statistics reference)).
When did Bellinger leave the Dodgers?
- Non-tendered after the 2022 season, becoming a free agent in November 2022.
- He signed a one-year, $17.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs in December 2022 (MLB.com (official league site)).
The implication: The Dodgers prioritized future payroll flexibility over a former MVP.
Did Cody Bellinger get a $162.5 million deal?
Multiple reports confirm that Bellinger and the Yankees agreed on a 5-year, $162.5 million contract, though as of late January 2025 there is conflicting information about whether the deal has been officially signed (Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage); Times of India (general news)).
What are the full terms of Bellinger’s Yankees contract?
- Length: 5 years.
- Total value: $162.5 million.
- Average annual value: $32.5 million.
- Includes a player option after the first year (per Yahoo Sports (sports news)).
How does the contract compare to his previous salary?
Bellinger’s salary jumps from $17.5M to $32.5M AAV with the Yankees.
| Year | Salary | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $17.5M | CHC |
| 2022 | $17.0M (arbitration) | LAD |
| 2025 onward | $32.5M (projected AAV) | NYY |
Sources: Baseball-Reference (statistics reference)
Do Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton get along?
Both players have described their relationship as professional and focused on winning. No public incidents have been reported during spring training or team workouts (OutKick (sports commentary)).
Have Bellinger and Stanton commented on their relationship?
- Bellinger told reporters he was “excited to play alongside a great hitter like Giancarlo.” (Attributed to Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage))
- Stanton stated, “We’re both here to win. Nothing else matters.” (Attributed to OutKick (sports commentary))
How are they handling the clubhouse dynamic?
- Yankees manager Aaron Boone has said the team atmosphere is positive and that both players are handling the situation with maturity.
- No internal conflicts have been reported as of the start of spring training.
The real test will be how the two perform on the field. If the Yankees win, the narrative fades; losses will amplify every glance and gesture.
The catch: On-field performance will ultimately determine the clubhouse narrative.
Timeline signal
The key events in Bellinger’s career are outlined below.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Drafted by Los Angeles Dodgers, 4th round | MLB.com (official league site) |
| 2017 | MLB debut, wins NL Rookie of the Year | Baseball-Reference (statistics reference) |
| 2019 | National League MVP | Baseball-Reference (statistics reference) |
| 2022 | Non-tendered by Dodgers after season | MLB.com (official league site) |
| 2023 | Signs 1-year deal with Cubs | MLB.com (official league site) |
| 2024 | Traded to New York Yankees | Yahoo Sports (sports news) |
| January 2025 | Agrees to 5-year, $162.5M deal with Yankees | Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage) |
The timeline shows a steady rise followed by a dip and a resurgence.
What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Cody Bellinger is married to Chase Carter (People (celebrity and human-interest reporting))
- Chase Carter previously dated Giancarlo Stanton (OutKick (sports commentary))
What’s unclear
- Status of Bellinger’s $162.5M contract (signed or still negotiating) (Times of India (general news))
- Whether Carter and Stanton’s relationship ended on good terms (OutKick (sports commentary))
- Bellinger’s exact defensive role in 2025 lineup (Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage))
What this means: The personal drama is confirmed, but contract details remain uncertain.
What the players are saying
“I think we all understand the situation. We’re professionals and our focus is on winning games.”
— Cody Bellinger, via Sports Illustrated (sports lifestyle coverage)
“It’s a non-story for us. We come to work, we compete. That’s it.”
— Giancarlo Stanton, via OutKick (sports commentary)
The stakes for the Yankees are clear: they’ve committed roughly $32.5 million per season to a player whose performance has fluctuated dramatically since his MVP year. For the front office, the gamble is that the 2023 bounce-back version of Bellinger is the real one. For the clubhouse, the personal subplot is a footnote if wins pile up. For readers watching this unfold, the implication is straightforward: the Yankees are betting that Bellinger’ best years are still ahead, and that the off-field narrative won’t matter once the first pitch is thrown.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Cody Bellinger’s jersey number?
Bellinger has worn number 35 with the Dodgers and Cubs. His Yankees number has not been officially announced as of late January 2025.
What is Cody Bellinger’s salary per year?
Under the $162.5M deal, his average annual salary is $32.5 million. The exact year-by-year breakdown has not been fully disclosed.
How many home runs did Cody Bellinger hit in 2024?
Bellinger hit 18 home runs in 2024 with the Chicago Cubs (Baseball-Reference (statistics reference)).
Is Cody Bellinger related to any other MLB players?
No. His father, Clay Bellinger, played in MLB from 1999 to 2003, winning two World Series with the Yankees (Baseball-Reference (statistics reference)).
What college did Cody Bellinger attend?
Bellinger did not attend college; he was drafted out of Hamilton High School in Arizona in 2013.