Yankees would be ‘natural’ fit for projected $401M superstar slugger

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 9: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs bats in Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)

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By Patrick McAvoy

Contributing Sports Writer

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Who will be in the outfield for the New York Yankees in 2026?

Aaron Judge is a given. Jasson Domínguez should get plenty of opportunities as well. Giancarlo Stanton obviously is an option as well, although there is an argument that he is better suited for designated hitter at this point in his career. Trent Grisham was tendered a qualifying offer by the Yankees and will be worth watching. Cody Bellinger opted out and is a free agent after a solid season in 2025 in New York.

With Grisham and Bellinger specifically up in the air, it will be interesting to see if New York has a big target in its sights. Bringing back Bellinger would be an easy option, but there could be another star for the taking. MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand shared a column discussing Kyle Tucker's market and interestingly had New York as one of the teams on his list for the slugger.

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"The Yankees could have some major turnover in the outfield in 2026, as Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham are both free agents," Feinsand said. "Grisham was extended a $22.025 million qualifying offer and could opt to take it, locking him in for next season, but Bellinger will be seeking the long-term deal that evaded him two years ago in free agency.

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 19: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs bats during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the MLB Tokyo Opening Series at the Tokyo Dome on March 19, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)

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"Tucker would be a natural -- and more expensive -- fit to replace Bellinger, who is 18 months older. New York’s other internal alternatives are Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones, though it’s hard to see the Yankees relying on both youngsters to hold down starting spots."

Tucker is this year's top free agent, following in the footsteps of Juan Soto last year and Shohei Ohtani the year before. The four-time All-Star is just 28 years old and had 22 homers, 73 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases with the Chicago Cubs in 2025 in a somewhat down year. He still had 4.6 wins above replacement, but he was just scratching the surface.

For example, in 2024, he had 23 homers, 49 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, and 4.7 wins above replacement in just 78 games with the Houston Astros.

Unsurprisingly, he's expected to cash in. Spotrac is projecting Tucker to land a deal in the neighborhood of $401 million across 10 years. Tucker is older than Soto, but they are somewhat comparable players. We saw what Soto and Judge could do together. Imagine if the Yankees could get something done with Tucker this offseason? New York would be set for years to come.