It’s been a disappointing year for the New York Yankees, which could lead to massive changes during the offseason. Many want Aaron Boone fired, among other decisions the Yankees must make. However, if the Yankees want to return to what they once were, they must be the Yankees of old. There’s a simple solution here: going out and trying to land the best player on the market this winter. That’s none other than Kyle Tucker, who many view as a top-five player.
Despite how talented Tucker is, he will come with a hefty price tag. When predicting contracts for the top players on the market this winter, MLB Trade Tumors’ Steve Adams predicted that Tucker could get a $500 million deal.
“Tucker is a quality defensive right fielder with above-average arm strength and plus accuracy. Teams with needs in either outfield corner will be interested in Tucker, and he’s the type of talent for whom a team would look to create roster space via the trade market. Tucker won’t approach Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani territory, but he’ll have a case to top $400MM and could try to take aim at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500MM mark with a big enough finish to the regular season and/or postseason performance.
“He’ll receive and reject a qualifying offer, but that won’t be a deterrent of any note in his market,” he wrote.
Will Kyle Tucker Sign With the Yankees?
Despite some suggesting that the New York Yankees will have interest in trading for Tucker, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic threw some cold water on it a few months ago. He noted that while the Yankees had interest in trading for the left-handed hitting outfielder who has been one of the best players in Major League Baseball this season, he doesn’t expect them to be the team he signs with.
He then noted that the Chicago Cubs are the likeliest team to sign him this winter.
“They had interest in trading for Kyle Tucker this past offseason before the Cubs traded for him,” Kirschner wrote.
With how the Cubs (and Tucker) are playing, I would imagine Chicago will try its best in re-signing him long-term. Otherwise, what is the point of trading for him (unless they win the World Series)? Recent history suggests the Yankees won’t be the team that lands Tucker in free agency. When was the last time the Yankees landed a major external position player?
Is New York Not Attractive for Kyle Tucker?
Despite Kirschner’s comments, it’s also fair to wonder if things have changed in the New York Yankees‘ benefit over the past few months. While the Yankees are 6.5 games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East, the Chicago Cubs are six games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in the American League Central.
If Tucker wants an opportunity to win a World Series, the Yankees are still in a better position to do that than the Cubs.
The Cubs have struggled in recent years, but have played better during this campaign. However, the Yankees have just made the World Series, and despite not playing as well as they should have over the past few weeks, they might still be a team with a chance if they can land players like Tucker and others over the next few months.
Yankees Top Offseason Target Predicted to Sign $500 Million Contract