Kyle Tucker: Don’t count the Yankees out of the race too quickly

Last year, many Yankee fans were hoping that the Bombardiers would be able to pick up Kyle Tucker, who had been placed on the trade market.

The goal was to replace Juan Soto.

In the end, Tucker was traded to the Cubs, who did absolutely nothing to keep him in town. And with the signing of Alex Bregman in Illinois, the door is more closed than ever.

But what about Tucker and the Yankees in 2026, now that the outfielder is free as a bird?

In reality, because Cody Bellinger (acquired by the Yankees last winter when the Cubs traded him for Tucker) has been an excellent fit in the Bronx in 2025, the #1 goal is to bring him back.

So I never really believed in the possibility of seeing Tucker with the Yankees this offseason. After all, he'll probably cost more than Bellinger, he hits left-handed, and he's not a center fielder.

But things have obviously changed.

With news that Bellinger's chances of returning to the Yankees organization are looking slimmer and slimmer, Mark Feinsand(MLB.com) named the Yankees as one of the teams to watch for Kyle Tucker.

https://t.co/iBx8GCL3yh From Feinsand.. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/L6Unzp71Rh

– Ben Turner (@benturn22) January 11, 2026

The Mets, Dodgers, and Blue Jays, who seem to be in the driver's seat on the record, are the other teams to keep an eye on for Tucker. But that's no surprise.

Will the Yankees end up getting their way with Tucker? I doubt it. If he signs in the short term, I see him more with the Dodgers, as I'm not sure the New York market is for him.

One thing in the Yankees' favor (and the Blue Jays', for that matter) is that the club practices in the Tampa Bay area in the spring. The outfielder is a local guy.

But will the Yankees put enough money on the table? Perhaps the pressure will make them crack?

Let's also note, in closing, that the Red Sox won't be pursuing Tucker, given that they have plenty of outfielders, but the club will—like the Yankees—have to come out of hibernation.

The Red Sox bosses were disappointed to see Bregman leave for a club with a better offer (…) and it could get messy there. So we're keeping an eye on the two great rivals in America's East.

There is reportedly “real disappointment” within the Red Sox organization after Alex Bregman did not accept their five-year, $165 million deal, per @Buster_ESPN

Bregman went to the Cubs for $10 million more pic.twitter.com/lhH1W1l2Ls

– Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) January 11, 2026

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