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The Cubs traded Bellinger along with $5 million to the Yankees in exchange for relief pitcher Cody Potit. This move comes in the wake of a busy week of negotiations between the two teams, particularly following the recent trade involving Kyle Tucker. The Cubs' roster had become increasingly crowded, which made Bellinger's departure seem inevitable. With standout young talent like Michael Bush and Pete Crow-Armstrong asserting themselves, Bellinger simply had no clear spot in the team's plans moving forward.

The financial aspect of the trade was a key point of contention during negotiations. Initially, the Yankees sought to have the Cubs cover more of Bellinger's salary, but ultimately, the Cubs managed to keep the financial burden relatively low, retaining flexibility for future moves.