With the Cubs’ season coming to an in depth over the weekend, it’s potential that Kyle Tucker’s time on the North Facet is over.
The outfielder is about to turn into baseball’s high free agent this offseason after a blockbuster cope with Houston despatched him to Chicago final winter. With Tucker anticipated to signal a deal price a whole bunch of thousands and thousands of {dollars} — someplace round $350-$400 million remains to be possible after an uneven season — it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Cubs balk on the funds required for a reunion.
“We’ll see what happens,” Tucker informed reporters after the Cubs had been eradicated by the Brewers within the NLDS. “I don’t know what the future’s going to hold.”
The Yankees are one of some high-rollers who ought to pursue the 28-year-old Tucker, as they expressed curiosity in him final offseason earlier than the rival Astros struck a cope with Chicago. Just some days later, the Cubs despatched fellow outfielder Cody Bellinger to the Yankees in a wage dump.
The sequence of occasions labored out effectively for the Yankees, as Bellinger went on to have a stellar season. The marketing campaign put him in place to say no a $25 million participant choice and turn into a free agent this winter.
Nonetheless, Bellinger mentioned he would “absolutely” love to return again after the Yankees had been eradicated within the ALDS.
“I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform,” added the 30-year-old, whose father, Clay, performed for the Yanks from 1999-2001. “Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room, it really is special. It’s such a fun group. It was a fun group to be a part of.”
Whereas Bellinger slot in slightly effectively with the Yankees, they may as soon as once more prioritize exploring Tucker’s market first.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out how the 2 gamers evaluate…
OFFENSE: ADVANTAGE TUCKER
Bellinger, a key piece within the Yankees’ post-Juan Soto pivot, shined whereas primarily hitting third behind Aaron Decide, slashing .272/.334/.480 with 29 house runs, 98 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a 125 wRC+ over 152 video games. Lengthy-held expectations that his left-handed stroke would thrive at Yankee Stadium proved true, and his skill to tailor his method to the state of affairs stood out within the Bombers’ slug-centric lineup.
That mentioned, Tucker, additionally a left-handed hitter with extra energy, is the higher offensive participant.
Whereas his 2025 season featured loads of ups and downs and a few accidents — he performed by means of a hairline fracture in his proper hand and missed nearly all of September with a strained left calf — Tucker nonetheless hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 house runs, 73 RBI, 25 stolen bases and a 136 wRC+ over 136 video games. Not dangerous for an off yr.
Tucker has additionally been the extra constant hitter, posting an .878 OPS and a 143 wRC+ with 134 homers since 2021, his first full season within the majors. Bellinger, who received the Nationwide League’s MVP Award in 2019 earlier than accidents contributed to some down seasons, has a .746 OPS, a 105 wRC+ and 102 dingers over that very same span.
DEFENSE: ADVANTAGE BELLINGER
Whereas Tucker is the superior hitter, Bellinger is the higher defender. Every has a Gold Glove to their identify, however Bellinger’s metrics are way more favorable.
In 2025, Bellinger totaled six Outs Above Common and 12 Defensive Runs Saved between all three outfield positions. Tucker had -2 OAA and -1 DRS whereas taking part in proper, the one place he’s manned since 2021.
Heart area was Bellinger’s worst place in 2025 (-1 OAA), however he provides the Yankees an choice there with Trent Grisham hitting free company and the membership nonetheless determining how kids Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones match into its quick plans.
Signing Tucker would imply placing him in Yankee Stadium’s expansive left area or shifting Aaron Decide out of proper. Neither state of affairs is good defensively.
Bellinger can also be able to taking part in first base, giving the Yankees some versatility with Ben Rice wanting like the way forward for the place however nonetheless rising as a defender.
POSTSEASON PERFORMANCE: IT’S A WASH
With loads of postseason expertise between them, Tucker and Bellinger are basically equals relating to October efficiency. Every has received a championship, and neither has been significantly good on the entire.
Tucker has hit .233 with a .692 OPS, 9 homers and 29 RBI over 72 playoff video games. Bellinger is a .211 hitter with a .660 OPS, 10 house runs and 37 RBI over 76 playoff video games.
This postseason, Tucker hit .259 with a .745 OPS, one house run and one RBI over eight video games. Bellinger hit .214 with a .651 OPS, one house run and 4 RBI over seven video games.
CLUBHOUSE FIT: ADVANTAGE BELLINGER
Bellinger has the benefit right here, simply because Tucker has by no means been a member of the Yankees.
However Bellinger has greater than only a default working in his favor, as he clicked effectively within the Yankees’ clubhouse, labored with Domínguez defensively, and earned adoration from Aaron Boone all through the season.
“On top of how good a player he’s been between the lines, he’s also just a great teammate and guy to have,” Boone mentioned in mid-September. “There’s no drama. He’s type of blue-collar-ish. He is aware of the grind, appreciates the grind, is aware of how you can do it. There’s some humility to him, like he’s self-deprecating.
“He’s just good at it.”
Whereas persona and vibes received’t be close to the highest of concerns right here, there’s something to be mentioned of Bellinger’s off-field match, expertise within the New York market, and basic embrace of being a Yankee.
COST: ADVANTAGE BELLINGER
Funds will probably be a stronger consideration. As soon as once more, Bellinger has the benefit.
Whereas it’s unclear precisely what the Scott Boras consumer is searching for in a long-term deal, he ought to simply exceed the three-year, $80 million, option-heavy deal he signed with the Cubs earlier than the 2024 season. The most effective bats available on the market behind Tucker, Bellinger is anticipated to crack 9 figures. The truth that the Yankees can’t lengthen him a qualifying provide will make him enticing to a wider vary of suitors, too, which might drive his bidding up.
In fact, the Yankees can afford the pricier Tucker. In any case, they’d a $760 million provide out to Soto final winter, although he’s youthful and extra of a industrial draw.
LONG-TERM PLANNING: ADVANTAGE TUCKER
Given his age and total consistency, Tucker is the higher choice when desirous about the Yankees’ long-term future.
Needless to say Decide will probably be 34 subsequent April. Whereas he hasn’t proven any indicators of slowing down after placing collectively one other MVP-worthy season, it’s truthful to surprise what number of otherworldly years he has left. Life after Decide’s prime is precisely why the Yanks threw a lot cash at Soto, and a purpose for Tucker to edge out Bellinger on this hypothetical head-to-head.
Over the course of a long-term deal that will presumably coincide with at the very least a relative decline in Decide’s manufacturing, Tucker tasks as the popular bat in the course of the Yankees’ lineup.
It’s additionally price noting that the subsequent few free agent lessons could also be brief on elite offensive expertise, as Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson may very well be the subsequent younger, top-shelf hitter to land on the open market. That wouldn’t occur till after the 2028 season.
