“We’re very interested in bringing him back. We would be better served if we could keep him. If not, we’ll have to look at other ways to fill the spot,” General Manager Brian Cashman has said about bringing Cody Bellinger back.

The New York Yankees are gearing up for a major off-season shopping spree, but as per rumors, their biggest target, Kyle Tucker, might see his dream of joining the team completely derailed by NY’s own superstar outfielder.

As reported by Mark Feinsand, “Bellinger was a great fit with the Yankees, giving them a versatile impact bat who can play all over the outfield as well as at first base. New York wants to bring him back on a new deal, and the interest appears to be mutual.”

He was a huge help to the team as he hit 29 home runs and brought in 98 RBIs. And his flexibility has been evident with his presence in all three outfield spots (left, center, and right) as well as first base. 

Now, the future of star player Cody Bellinger looks like a focal point for the Yankees.

After a great season in New York, Bellinger opted out of the final year of his $25 million contract to become a free agent and seek a much bigger, long-term deal. And now, wanting a reunion is not just a one-sided thought.

Cody Bellinger himself has said previously that he would “absolutely” think about re-signing with the Yankees. Yet, the rumor mills keep spinning.

Another speculation started when his partner, Chase Carter, posted, Bellinger “enjoyed their time in Chicago.”

The cryptic one-liner leaves its meaning open to interpretation: Was it a genuine reflection on time spent with family and friends in Chicago, a subtle hint about her future with the Cubs, or, if not too deep, a simple leaning toward the Yankees?  

But one thing is clear on the Yankees’ end.

If they manage to sign Cody Bellinger, their chance of getting Kyle Tucker becomes null and void. 

Did the Yankees give up on Kyle Tucker because of his quotation?

Well, surely Kyle Tucker is not an easy player to get. One solid example is the Yankees themselves, because they have been eyeing him for more than a year now. 

Now, experts believe Tucker will end up joining the Yankees. One thinks the Yankees will sign Tucker to a huge contract: 11 years for $400 million! And Jim Riley had agreed to it a few days back.

“Kyle Tucker will go to the New York Yankees. I know we’re hearing a lot about the Dodgers. We’re going to hear some about the Blue Jays. There’s going to be a lot of teams that are rumored with Kyle Tucker, but I feel like the New York Yankees are the way to go because I don’t think Cody Bellinger will be back.”

While Kyle is free to sign with anyone, reportedly, his priority would be to be with a team that will likely agree to at least $350 million or $400 million. And why not!

Kyle Tucker is an elite offensive threat, proven by a career .273 BA and a low 14.7% strikeout rate. 

In the 2025 campaign, he posted a superb .377 OBP and a 136 wRC+, signifying he was 36% better than the league-average hitter after adjusting for park factors. The left-handed slugger also offers a rare power-speed combination, logging 25 stolen bases alongside his power numbers, and finished the season with a high-end 4.5 fWAR. 

His ability to blend exceptional plate discipline with dynamic production makes him the premium commodity on the free-agent market. And the Yankees’ need for outfield excellence would likely influence their decision over monetary factors.

What do you speculate?