The Yankees were an offensive juggernaut in 2025, leading the league with a 119 wRC+. But in October, the script has flipped. For a team that smashed 274 homers in the regular season, they’ve managed only three in five playoff games. That’s just 0.6 per game, way down from their 1.69 average. And now, things are just getting worse.

Two key sluggers, Trent Grisham, their second-best home run hitter, and Cody Bellinger, their No. 2 in RBIs, are both set to hit free agency after the postseason. So, the Yankees clearly need a spark on offense. But will they sacrifice their long-term future just to land a big-name bat for a one-year run? Rumors are indicating the same…

“Jesse Rogers reports that the Cubs were “never going” to sign Kyle Tucker. The Yankees held trade talks with the Astros with players like Ben Rice on the table for a potential blockbuster, sources tell ESM.“ MLB insider Ryan Garcia shared the potential trading rumors for the Yankees.

After losing Juan Soto to the Mets this year, onboarding someone like Kyle Tucker would surely be a winning shot for the Yankees. But at what cost?

In the last offseason, the Yankees were in trade talks with the Astros for Tucker, which included Ben Rice and Jasson Dominguez, but eventually it was the Cubs who made the mark with a one-year contract. And if it were the Yankees, they would have also signed Tucker for one year only.

Now, as Tucker is again hitting free agency, the same equation resurfaced.

Will the Yankees again offer a package including Ben Rice to the Cubs to trade Tucker?

“NYY ended up better off not trading for him, but they could be better off signing him this winter.” As per Garcia, the Yankees shouldn’t let Rice go because he (26 HRs) performed better than Tucker (22 HRs) this regular season. Rather, they should sign Tucker, who will address the offensive slump alongside Aaron Judge and others.

The Yankees’ offensive slump needs a major boost

Names like Tucker are no longer a choice for the Yankees, but a compulsion. Their star-studded lineup tells us why!

Heading into Game 3 of the ALDS, only three Yankees hitters had an OPS above .800!

Paul Goldschmidt (1.142), Aaron Judge (1.024), and rookie Ben Rice (.846). And outside of those three and Anthony Volpe, no one on the roster had cracked .700. So, the depth that once made us talk about how lethal the Yankees’ offense is has completely disappeared when it matters most.

Giancarlo Stanton still can’t find his rhythm. His over-swings and mistimed hacks reflect the classic signs of a hitter pressing too much. Jazz Chisholm Jr., brought in to add spark and swagger, is not at his best and is inconsistent. And Trent Grisham’s slump has only made the lineup feel even thinner.

Hence, for the Yankees, this isn’t about one guy struggling, but a team-wide slump. With the NYY now in a dangerous spot (0-2) against the Blue Jays, they can’t afford to let this same offensive meltdown happen next year.