The Cody Bellinger sweepstakes are still very much alive, and the Yankees find themselves standing at a franchise-defining fork in the road. As of late December, all signs suggest New York is seriously weighing its options - and if Bellinger walks in free agency, the pivot plan isn’t just a backup. It’s a potential blockbuster.
Enter Kyle Tucker.
This isn’t your typical Plan B. Tucker is a full-fledged superstar, and the Yankees know it.
He brings the kind of all-around game that can anchor a lineup and elevate a franchise. Power?
Check. Gold Glove defense?
Check. Durability?
He’s missed just a handful of games over the last few seasons. And when the lights get bright in October, Tucker doesn’t shrink - he shines.
Let’s look at the résumé. Four-time All-Star.
Two Gold Gloves. A legitimate 30/30 threat every season.
In 2025, he hit .266 with 22 home runs and continued to flash elite defense in right field. And that’s in Houston.
Put his left-handed swing in Yankee Stadium - with that short porch in right - and you’re talking about a potential 40-homer guy, easy.
But here’s where things get tricky: price tag and flexibility.
Bellinger, according to Spotrac, is projected to land a six-year deal worth around $182 million. That’s a big number, but still significantly lower than what Tucker is expected to command - a 10-year, $360 million megadeal.
That’s nearly double the commitment, both in years and dollars. And for a Yankees front office trying to balance win-now urgency with long-term roster flexibility, that matters.
Still, the Yankees haven’t closed the book on either player. Manager Aaron Boone recently hinted that the roster is “not done yet,” a clear indication that big moves are still on the table. Whether that means bringing Bellinger back or going all-in on Tucker, the next decision will shape the rest of the offseason - and possibly the next decade.
Meanwhile, Tucker’s future remains one of the hottest storylines in baseball. Despite being traded to the Cubs in a major deal last winter, there’s growing belief around the league that his time in Chicago could be short-lived.
The buzz? He may be headed west - to Dodger Stadium.
Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut now projects Tucker to sign a five-year, $200 million deal with the Dodgers. That’s a shift from earlier predictions linking him to the Blue Jays.
But the Dodgers’ approach makes sense: shorter term, massive annual salary, and opt-outs that give the player flexibility while keeping the team nimble. It’s classic L.A. - aggressive, calculated, and always thinking two steps ahead.
The proposed deal reportedly includes opt-outs after the 2027 and 2029 seasons, giving Tucker the chance to re-enter the market if he continues to perform at an elite level. And with the Dodgers’ infrastructure, championship pedigree, and big-market appeal, they check a lot of boxes for a player in his prime looking to win now and cash in later.
The Yankees and Blue Jays are still very much in the mix, but if Tucker’s priorities are winning, flexibility, and a shot at October glory, the Dodgers are a serious threat.
For the Yankees, the clock is ticking. Whether they stick with the familiar in Bellinger or swing big for Tucker, their next move could define not just this offseason - but the trajectory of the franchise for years to come.