With Cody Bellinger choosing his player option this offseason, the New York Yankees have a looming question in the outfield. In lieu of the 30-year-old, the franchise has been linked to Kyle Tucker as the top target. However, with the latest updates, the latter’s hope to be with the Yankees might get derailed.

“Bellinger was a great fit with the Yankees, giving them a versatile impact bat who can play all over the outfield as well as at first base,” As MLB’s Mark Feinsand reported yesterday. “New York wants to bring him back on a new deal, and the interest appears to be mutual.”

The New York Yankees are gearing up for a major off-season shopping spree, but re-signing Bellinger could make sense.

Taking the load off of Aaron Judge’s shoulders, Bellinger was a huge help to the team. In 152 regular-season games, the slugger hit .272/.334/.480 with 25 doubles, 29 home runs, and 98 runs batted in. Not to mention his versatility. 

In the Bronx, he played in all three outfield spots (left, center, and right) as well as first base. Still, after a great season in New York, Bellinger opted out of the final year of his $25 million contract to become a free agent and seek a much bigger, long-term deal.

Cody Bellinger himself has said previously that he would “absolutely” think about re-signing with the Yankees. Yet, the rumor mills keep spinning.

“I think the Yankees are looking to improve, not subtract,” the 30-year-old slugger’s agent, Scott Boras, stated the obvious course of action for the Yankees. “He’s really a five-tool player. We just don’t find many athletes like that, and then are also proven in every major market.”

Certainly, after becoming an MVP in 2019 and, more recently, in three years, Bellinger has a track record to make his case on consistency, power, and elite performance. But while all those aspects stand true, if the Yankees do sign him, the contract doesn’t come with zero risks. The nine-season veteran will turn 31 in July next season, which makes a lengthy contract risky, especially if it’s an expensive, lengthy contract.

However, one speculation also started when his partner, Chase Carter, posted, “enjoyed their time in Chicago.”

The cryptic one-liner leaves its meaning open to interpretation: Was it a genuine reflection on time spent with family and friends in Chicago, a subtle hint about her future with the Cubs, or, if not too deep, a simple leaning toward the Yankees?

But one thing is clear on the Yankees’ end. If they manage to sign Cody Bellinger, their chance of getting Kyle Tucker becomes null and void.

Did the Yankees give up on Kyle Tucker?

Kyle Tucker is not an easy player to get. One solid example is the Yankees, who have been eyeing him for more than a year now. Fast forward to now, and some experts think the Yankees will sign Tucker to a huge contract: 11 years for $400 million!

“Kyle Tucker will go to the New York Yankees,” Jim Riley claimed. “I know we’re hearing a lot about the Dodgers. We’re going to hear some about the Blue Jays. There’s going to be a lot of teams that are rumored with Kyle Tucker, but I feel like the New York Yankees are the way to go because I don’t think Cody Bellinger will be back.”

While Kyle is free to sign with anyone, reportedly, his priority would be to be with a team that will likely agree to at least $350 million or $400 million. And, of course, such big contracts and bigger entities are always linked with the Dodgers. But his numbers back his demand.

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Kyle Tucker is an elite offensive threat, proven by a career .273 BA and a low 14.7% strikeout rate.

In the 2025 campaign, he posted a superb .377 OBP and a 136 wRC+, signifying he was 36% better than the league-average hitter after adjusting for park factors. The left-handed slugger also offers a rare power-speed combination, logging 25 stolen bases alongside his power numbers, and finished the season with a high-end 4.5 fWAR.

His ability to blend exceptional plate discipline with dynamic production makes him the premium commodity on the free-agent market. And the Yankees’ need for outfield excellence and a limited amount of time would likely influence their decision over monetary factors.