The New York Yankees might be plotting one of their boldest off-season moves yet. But fans might want to brace themselves. Sure, talks of a Cody Bellinger reunion have not left, but the front office could be eyeing someone else altogether. According to several reports, the Yankees are eyeing the Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Tucker.

Tucker seems to be the prize of the 2026 free-agent class. 

As The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner put it, “Before deciding whether to reunite with Bellinger, the Yankees should exhaust all efforts to sign Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker. He should be priority No. 1, not Bellinger. The thinking here is quite simple: Tucker is better, and the Yankees should be amassing the best talent.”

Thinking about the Cubs and his future? Things are complicated. Chicago traded for him just last off-season, even knowing that he was entering his final year of contract. He delivered, hitting .281 with 22 home runs, 25 stolen bases, and an .841 OPS. But now he is heading to free agency, and other big-market teams are looking to snatch him away. That’s why the Yankee names pop up, and according to insiders, Tucker is the way to go.

There are several reasons Tucker in the New York Yankees makes sense.

First, Tucker’s left-handed swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium’s short right field porch. Plus, his mix of power, speed, and defense is exactly what the New York Yankees are missing. Kirschner has a point when he mentions that Tucker is better.

Over the past five seasons, Kyle Tucker has never posted less than a 4.2 WAR—meanwhile, Bellinger’s production has dwindled. From his MVP highs to the lows that got him non-tendered by the Dodgers. Tucker has, for sure, in contrast, become one of the most reliable two-way outfielders, even playing through a fractured hand and a calf strain.

But of course, nothing will come cheaply.

Spotrac projects Tucker to get around $401 million over 10 years. While The Athletic predicts the number could be around $429 million. But for a 28-year-old entering his prime, one who would balance Judge’s right-handed power and bring a zeal to the lineup, Tucker might be the gamble the Yankees should take.

But the Yankees might face competition from the Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays did not wait long to prove that they were serious about winning. Even when they were struggling, the front office locked up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a massive $500 million extension. That deal seemed like much then, but now, given they have punched their way to the World Series, it makes all the more sense.

Now, as they battle with the Dodgers, the focus is also on what lies ahead. And according to reports, they are ready to make another blockbuster move.

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Jon Heyman cites Toronto as “another team that could play for No. 1 free agent Kyle Tucker.” This is huge. Because the Jays were also finalists in the Ohtani and Soto run in their last offseason. Sure, they missed out on Dodges and Mets, but they still went all in for Vladdy. And Heyman even mentioned that Toronto would have extended Vladdy even if they landed Ohtani or Soto.

Now, money won’t be an issue if the front office believes that Kyle Tucker is the missing piece. And with Tucker projected to command $400 million north, Toronto’s deep pocket could work. Not to mention, Bo Bichette, Max Scherzer, and Chris Bassitt are all heading toward free agency, so the timing could not be better.

Just imagine Tucker’s smooth left-handed swing next to Guerrero Jr.’s power!