The New York Yankees may be finding it harder to land one of MLB’s top free agents. As the Yankees continue the club’s standoff with Cody Bellinger, New York’s chances to land MLB’s No. 1 free agent appears to be dwindling.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that the Toronto Blue Jays are “likely” to land Chicago Cubs 4-time All-Star Kyle Tucker. The Yankees have also been linked to Tucker but appear to be prioritizing re-signing Bellinger over poaching the outfielder.
“Tucker’s market has been relatively slow this winter, at least compared to some top free agents in recent years,” Feinsand wrote in a January 7, 2025, story titled, “What we know about Kyle Tucker’s market, and what we should expect.” “The biggest news came more than a month ago when Tucker visited the Blue Jays at their player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., though there have been few developments since then.
“Two industry sources still tabbed the Blue Jays as Tucker’s likely destination, even after Toronto signed infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal last week. The Blue Jays’ lineup is already formidable, but adding another big left-handed bat would cement Toronto as the frontrunners in the American League.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Yankees rumors.
Yankees Rumors: New York Appears to Prefer Cody Bellinger Over Cubs Slugger Kyle Tucker
One of the reasons why the Yankees are pushing for Bellinger over Tucker is retaining the star appears to be a cheaper option. New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the New York Mets are also lurking as a potential suitor for Bellinger.
“This could well shape up as another New York-New York battle,” Heyman wrote in a January 1, article titled, “Where things stand for coveted MLB free agents in slow market.” “The favored Yankees say Bellinger is their No. 1 target, but with the sides in a weekslong standoff, the Mets can’t be ruled out for the all-around talent.
“… His old Dodgers teams and the Giants also have been linked to Bellinger who, along with Tatis, is the only outfielder with a 125 wRC-plus and plus-7 OAA. If the Jays miss on prime targets Tucker, Alex Bregman and their own Bo Bichette, they could also fit. But it’ll be a surprise if Bellinger doesn’t remain in New York.”
The Yankees Lurk If Things Fall Through Between Blue Jays & Kyle Tucker
The Yankees should not be completely ruled out of the Tucker sweepstakes, but it appears to be an “either or” scenario for New York between the Cubs slugger and Bellinger. New York continues to be a potential landing spot for Tucker if things surprisingly fall through with the Blue Jays, per Feinsand.
“The Yankees and Mets are both eager to add an impact outfield bat, but sources say the two New York teams each prefer Bellinger to Tucker,” Feinsand noted. “That’s not to say they won’t be in on Tucker, especially knowing that only one of them can sign Bellinger, assuming he winds up back in New York.
“A reunion between the Yankees and Bellinger has felt inevitable all offseason, though it’s possible that Bellinger will wait for Tucker to sign before making his own deal, giving him further leverage. Some believe Tucker may be one of the few left-handed hitters whose swing is as tailor-made for the Bronx as Bellinger’s was during his first season in pinstripes, though Bellinger’s price tag figures to be lower and he’s already proven he can handle the New York pressure-cooker.”
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