The Yankees got a bit of an unexpected development on Tuesday when Trent Grisham accepted their $22.025 million qualifying offer. But that still leaves the big question: what’s going on with free agent Cody Bellinger? With only days left, it’s looking tough for the Yankees to wrap up a deal for him the same way they did with Grisham.

Well, this offseason, Bellinger and Kyle Tucker have been the two headline names dominating the conversation. And the fact that the Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Yankees are all involved has only made the chase more intriguing. The Yankees have long been linked to both Tucker and Bellinger as potential upgrades for an elite outfield spot.

But if recent reports are accurate, New York might have to overpay to land either one. That too after the GM insisting that Grisham’s decision doesn’t change their pursuit of Bellinger, who remains a top priority.

“Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Dodgers have expressed a legitimate interest in Cody Bellinger, while the Blue Jays are considered the favorites for Kyle Tucker, according to rival executives. If the Yankees are going to want to land a premier outfielder, they are going to have to overpay for those services,” Everything Yankees reported.

Notably, it’s the Blue Jays’ aggressive pursuit of Kyle Tucker that’s shaken up the market.

Also, it pushed the Dodgers toward Bellinger and forced the Yankees into what’s becoming a straight-up price war for their top outfield target. As Jeff Passan noted, “The Blue Jays, coming off their first World Series berth in more than three decades, have no plans to slow down. Other executives view them as the favorites to land Tucker.”

And Toronto seems perfectly comfortable putting an 11-year projected deal on the table.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, aren’t expected to meet the kind of long-term commitment Tucker wants. So naturally, their attention has shifted to Bellinger. And with L.A. unlikely to flinch at a deal north of $180 million, they’re well-positioned to make a competitive push.

So, that leaves the Yankees in a tough spot. To land Bellinger, they’ll likely have to outbid both teams, not just in dollars, but in years as well. And according to Passan, that kind of contract would be seen as a clear overpay for the Bronx.

A few other teams are also ahead of the Yankees for Tucker

Leave alone the Dodgers and Blue Jays, even teams like the Giants and Orioles are reportedly pursuing Kyle Tucker.

Well, the Orioles still look like a team with a bright future, even after a frustrating 2025 season. Gunnar Henderson has shortstop secured for years to come. And Jackson Holliday gave fans a glimpse of why he was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. So, what Baltimore could really use now is another big power bat to pair with Henderson, especially with the AL East getting tougher.

The Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Yankees all look like they could be World Series contenders as soon as next year. Hence, adding someone like Kyle Tucker would give the Orioles a major boost.

On the other hand, Passan also pointed out that the Giants could be a strong fit. Why? Because they’ve got an opening in right field and Tucker would instantly elevate their lineup.

However, with all this competition building for Tucker and the Dodgers zeroing in on Bellinger, the Yankees might be staring at yet another missed opportunity. If you can recall, that’s something that’s become all too familiar in recent years.