The New York Yankees, even after Trent Grisham accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer, are trying to bring back Cody Bellinger or even sign Kyle Tucker to a big deal.
They're eyeing another outfielder to pair with Grisham and Aaron Judge, and looking to free agency to do so. But, there's a non-zero chance that both Tucker and Bellinger sign elsewhere. It would be a bad situation for the Yankees, but they have a plan.
According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, if both Tucker and Bellinger sign with other teams this winter, the Yankees' "Plan B" revolves around Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez.
Yankees 'Plan B' for Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger revealed by MLB.com insider
"Plan B, in the event that the Yankees don't get either of them," Feinsand writes, "would probably be to sign another outfielder (not on the same level as those two) unless they truly believe that Jasson Dominguez and/or Spencer Jones are ready to assume an everyday role."
The Yankees, if they lose out on the Tucker and Bellinger sweepstakes, will instead pivot to one of Jones or Dominguez and a free agent outfielder.
While there aren't a ton of great options after Bellinger and Tucker, taking a flier on someone like Harrison Bader or Adolis Garcia could be a good way to add an outfielder without overspending on a replacement this winter.
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An ideal world would be one in which Jones or Dominguez flashes the potential they've shown and takes over a starting role. But the Yankees can't rely on that to occur, and as Feinsand mentioned, will look to add an outfielder no matter what this offseason.
With Bellinger likely waiting until Tucker signs to sign his own deal, the Yankees will have some time to evaluate their plans this winter.
For now, the Yankees are still in strong pursuit of both Tucker and Bellinger. But if the worst-case scenario of both choosing different teams comes to pass, Brian Cashman and the Yankees have an alternative plan.
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