Cubs Make Surprising Call on Former Yankees Star
The Chicago Cubs have made an unexpected move with former New York Yankees pitcher Cody Poteet, designating him for assignment just months after acquiring him in the trade for Cody Bellinger. In December, the Cubs sent Bellinger, a former NL MVP and two-time All-Star, along with cash to the Yankees in exchange for Poteet. However, the 30-year-old pitcher struggled during spring training, allowing four earned runs over 3.1 innings while walking three and striking out just one.
Ultimately, the Cubs’ decision to acquire Poteet seems to have been a salary dump, which, in hindsight, isn’t entirely surprising. Bellinger’s hefty $25 million salary for 2025 and a $22.5 million player option for 2026 likely played a major role in his departure from Chicago. During his two seasons with the Cubs, Bellinger contributed 7.0 bWAR and a solid .815 OPS, showing signs of a career resurgence after his disappointing tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While the trade raised some eyebrows, it’s worth noting that the Cubs received Poteet, not a top prospect, in return. The 30-year-old pitcher did show promise last season, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.22 ERA over five games, including four starts, with the Yankees. However, a triceps injury sidelined him for several months, and he didn’t pitch in the postseason.
Now, with Poteet designated for assignment, it remains to be seen whether the Yankees will bring him back, especially considering their pitching injuries this preseason. Poteet has a career 3.80 ERA and a 127-64 K-BB ratio across 153 innings, making him a potential asset for any team, particularly one familiar with his abilities like the Yankees.