The New York Yankees have been aggressive in their search for offensive upgrades this winter, mainly in the outfield. Adding a left-handed bat and production has been a clear priority, and the front office has explored multiple paths to get there.
Most of the attention has been centered around Cody Bellinger, who has been viewed as the cleanest fit.
His defensive versatility, offensive ability, and postseason experience all make sense for a Yankees team trying to maximize its current window.
It’s not surprising that Bellinger has been linked to New York as its top target.
However, he isn’t the only name on the board.
The Yankees have also been connected to Kyle Tucker, one of the best outfielders in baseball.
Tucker brings power and everything in between, which would help the Yankees’ lineup.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports believes Tucker is part of the Yankees’ potential plan, adding that while Bellinger might be No. 1 on their list, Tucker could be an option.
“Throughout the winter, Bellinger has been rumored to be the Yankees' No. 1 priority, with fellow free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker painted as a fallback option,” he wrote.
If the Yankees miss out on Bellinger, pivoting to a player of Tucker’s caliber would ensure they still come away with a significant addition. However, I believe Tucker will sign before Bellinger, so unless the Yankees' free agent says he doesn’t want to return, the Yankees might be burnt.
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