The Cody Bellinger watch is officially on in the Bronx, and the Yankees find themselves standing at a pivotal crossroads. With Bellinger still unsigned as of December 22, the front office isn’t just weighing whether to bring him back-they’re reportedly eyeing a much bigger swing if he walks.
Enter Kyle Tucker.
According to multiple reports, including Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, the Yankees could pivot from Bellinger and go all-in on Tucker with a massive offer. This wouldn’t be a minor adjustment-it would be a franchise-shifting move.
Tucker is the kind of player who checks every box New York covets: power, glove, consistency, and postseason pedigree. He’s not just a star; he’s built for October.
Let’s talk résumé: four-time All-Star, two Gold Gloves, and a perennial 30/30 threat. In 2025, he hit .266 with 22 home runs while playing elite defense-numbers that speak to his all-around value.
And when you consider how his smooth left-handed swing would play in Yankee Stadium? It’s hard not to imagine a huge offensive uptick in the Bronx.
But here’s the thing-Tucker won’t come cheap.
Spotrac estimates Bellinger’s market at around six years, $182 million. That’s a big number, but it’s still roughly half of what Tucker is projected to command: a 10-year, $360 million deal.
That’s the kind of investment that reshapes a roster and a payroll. So while Tucker might offer the higher ceiling, Bellinger remains the safer, more cost-effective option.
The Yankees have to decide what kind of offseason this is going to be-measured or monumental.
Manager Aaron Boone has already hinted that the Yankees aren’t done making moves, which feels like a not-so-subtle signal that something significant could still be coming. Whether that means re-signing Bellinger or chasing a superstar like Tucker, the next domino will say a lot about how the Yankees view their 2026 window.
Meanwhile, Tucker’s future is far from settled. After a brief stint with the Cubs-who acquired him in a blockbuster deal last winter-league buzz suggests his next home won’t be Wrigley Field. Instead, all signs are pointing west.
Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut now projects Tucker to land with the Dodgers on a five-year, $200 million deal. That’s a notable shift from earlier projections that had the Blue Jays in the mix.
But the Dodgers’ approach fits the profile: shorter term, massive annual value, and built-in flexibility. Tucker would reportedly have opt-outs after the 2027 and 2029 seasons, giving him the chance to re-enter the market if the deal doesn’t play out as planned.
It’s a classic L.A. move-high upside, minimal long-term risk. And with Tucker still unsigned more than a week after the Winter Meetings, the timing could work in the Dodgers’ favor.
That said, the Yankees and Blue Jays are still very much in the conversation. If Tucker is looking for elite infrastructure, postseason certainty, and a contract that gives him control over his future, the Dodgers offer all of that.
But don’t count out New York just yet. If the Yankees decide to go big, Tucker could be the kind of player who defines their next era.
Whether they stick with the known quantity in Bellinger or swing for the fences with Tucker, one thing’s clear: the Yankees’ next move will shape not just their offseason, but their trajectory for years to come.