Don’t let all the buzz around a possible Tarik Skubal–Yankees connection distract you from the real issue in the Bronx: their offense still needs help. And with Cody Bellinger, their most consistent bat this year, likely heading into free agency, that need is bigger than ever. Yes, the Yankees will have plenty of options to fix it. Kyle Tucker, arguably the top free agent hitter this offseason, could be on their radar.

But before jumping to conclusions, there’s a tough decision to make… Bellinger just wrapped up a season hitting .272/.334/.480 with 29 HRs. And that kind of production isn’t easy to replace. Moreover, when asked if he’d consider returning in 2026, Bellinger didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, absolutely.” So, should the Yankees chase Tucker or stick with Bellinger?

MLB analyst Ryan Garcia thinks choosing not to go after Tucker would echo the same mistake they made years ago, when they picked Anthony Rizzo instead of Freddie Freeman.

“The Yankees signing Anthony Rizzo and not Freddie Freeman isn’t something they had full control over, but it’s an example of why going for a B player isn’t going to do what going for an A player will. Tucker > Bellinger,” Garcia said.

For the unversed, back in 2022, the New York Yankees re-signed Anthony Rizzo instead of pursuing then-top name Freddie Freeman. Reason? Rizzo’s left-handed pull power fits Yankee Stadium perfectly. Freeman, while a better all-around hitter, tends to use the whole field, so the Yankees saw Rizzo as the more tailored option to their ballpark.

Moreover, Freeman signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Dodgers. In contrast, the Yankees got Rizzo for $32 million for 2 years. But while initially it seemed like the Yankees made some profits, it just took one year to realize what went wrong. Rizzo had 32 HRs in 2022, which came down to 12 HRs in 2023, and continuous injuries and concussions made him retire from MLB in 2024. 

And Freeman? He’s hitting .310 with 96 HRs since 2022 for the Dodgers and is still a key member of the team.

Hence, as per Garcia, opting for Bellinger over Tucker would repeat the same scene for the Yankees once again. Is it so?

Let’s be honest, neither Tucker nor Bellinger is going to come cheap. According to Spotrac, Tucker is projected to land a massive $400 million deal this winter, while Bellinger is expected to command around $140 million. And Bellinger backed up his value this season, too.

His 5.0 WAR is his best since winning the 2019 NL MVP with the Dodgers. Tucker, meanwhile, has been one of the league’s most consistent hitters. He had at least 22 HRs in each of the last five seasons. Moreover, he finished fifth in AL MVP voting in 2023 after leading the league with 112 RBIs.

So, statistically, Tucker might look like the better option. But committing nearly half a billion dollars to one player would be a massive gamble for the Yankees. Instead of going all-in on Tucker, it might make more sense for New York to use that money to re-sign Bellinger, add another starter, bolster the bullpen, and plug infield gaps.

The Yankees have a few more questions to answer

It’s not their offense that should be enhanced further, but a few other areas as well. And their bullpen should top the list.

If you remember, for much of the season, the Yankees’ bullpen looked scattered. Their struggles came to a head in the ALDS against the Blue Jays, where they gave up 34 runs in just four games.

Yes, Brian Cashman tried to patch things up at the trade deadline. He brought in reinforcements for a late push, and for a while, it worked. For instance, the group of David Bednar, Devin Williams, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, and Camilo Doval combined for an impressive 1.35 ERA in 20 postseason innings! Impressive enough.

But now comes the tricky part. The Yankees could lose several key arms this winter. For example, Luke Weaver is headed for free agency. Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn are also set to hit the market. Thus, the team could face some serious bullpen turnover.

That kind of brain drain means the Yankees have to reload both on the mound and at the plate. Yes, Tarik Skubal’s name has been floated as a potential target, but with him entering his final year of arbitration, he won’t come cheap.

So, let’s wait and watch how the Yankees balance fixing their defensive issues while still finding the right offensive firepower to push them over the top next season.