The New York Yankees aren’t afraid to be big spenders, but the front office has to ensure they get their money’s worth.
As a result, there is a need in the outfield, and general manager Brian Cashman has a decision to make: Either go for the known commodity in Cody Bellinger or go for the big fish in Kyle Tucker.
Tucker is coming off a 2025 season in which he recorded a .266 batting average, 22 home runs, and 73 RBI for the Chicago Cubs. Moreover, Tucker will be looking for a big payday from a team that needs a big bat in the middle of their lineup for the foreseeable future.
Nonetheless, MLB Network’s Steve Phillips believes the decision is easy for New York to make. While adding Tucker would be the big offseason splash, the Yankees should resist spending big, at least for an outfielder.
“If Bellinger is your priority, Plan B is not Tucker,” Phillips said in a video published by MLB Network on November 21. “Tucker is only a Plan A because he’s going to be $400 million, close to that number. Bellinger is going to be down closer to $200 million.
“So you don’t say, ‘Well, my Plan A is the guy for $200 million, but if we don’t get him, let me double that and go get the guy worth $400 million.’ So Tucker is the better player. He is. But the better value for me is Cody Bellinger [and] their numbers aren’t that far off.”
Cody Bellinger Is a Better Fit for the Yankees
Phillips didn’t stop at that because Bellinger is the cheaper option; the Yankees should try to re-sign their outfielder from last season. Moreover, the former MLB executive believes that Bellinger’s versatility better suits New York’s outfield than Tucker’s.
“Bellinger is a center fielder and a left fielder and a right fielder, where Tucker is really just a corner outfielder,” Phillips added. “So in many ways, [Bellinger] gives you more versatility. He can play first base, too. And so he gives you more options. I think Bellinger is the priority for the Yankees.
“I think that GM speak for Brian Cashman was, ‘I’m doing my due diligence.’ One of the guys I talked to was Casey Close, who represents Kyle Tucker; I think you’re talking to him about all they have available; I don’t think Tucker is their No. 1 priority.”
Will Either of the New York Teams Want Kyle Tucker?
Moreover, Phillips is echoing what MLB insider Jon Heyman has reported, noting that he doesn’t expect either New York team to make a major offer for Tucker this offseason.
“I do think the Blue Jays are a definite bidder in this,” Heyman said on November 14 during an appearance on MLB Network about the potential suitors for Tucker. “We’ll see if they do get them. I could see the Dodgers, the Giants, and potentially the Phillies.
“You hear speculation about the New York teams, but I don’t see that. The New York teams have pretty good right fielders, right? They have Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. So I’m not seeing that. I don’t know—maybe somebody knows something I don’t know, but not for me.”
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