MLB Insider Believes Cody Bellinger Bring More Value To Yankees Than Kyle Tucker
MLB insider believes the Yankees' top target is Cody Bellinger, who brings better value than Kyle Tucker as New York prepares for a move this offseason.
- Swati Bhatia
- 3 min read
MLB insider Steve Phillips believes Cody Bellinger is the Yankees number one priority this offseason and not Kyle Tucker. Phillips said Bellinger makes more sense financially and in terms of roster fit.
New York already kicked off its offseason by bringing back veteran outfielder Trent Grisham after he accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer. That locks one outfield spot while leaving room for a bigger signing.
Brian Cashman on Thursday confirmed talks with both Scott Boras who represents Bellinger and Casey Close who represents Tucker. Cashman said that he would love to have Bellinger back and added that he has spoken to both groups as part of routine offseason work.
*“We’d love to have Bellinger come back,” Cashman told reporters Thursday night during his annual Covenant House Sleep Out in New York City.
1. “Kyle Tucker Cannot Be Plan B”
Phillips discussed which player the Yankees should prioritise and broke down the logic on MLB Tonight. He said If Bellinger is the priority plan B is not Tucker. Tucker is only plan A because he is going to be around $400 million, while Bellinger will cost them close to $200 million.
“If Bellinger is priority plan B is not Tucker. Tucker is only plan A, because he’s going to be 400 million close to that number. Bellinger is going to be down closer to 200 million, so you don’t say, ‘my plan A is the guy for 200 million, but if we don’t get it, let me double that and go get the guy worth 400 million dollars’,” Phillips said.
While the MLB insider admitted that Tucker is a better player than Bellinger, he said the veteran outfielder brings more value to the Yankees.
“Tucker is the better player, but the better value for me is Cody Bellinger. Their numbers aren’t that far off. Bellinger is the center field. He can play left field or right field. Tucker is really just a quarter outfield. He [Bellinger] gives you more versatility. He can play first base two, and so he gives you more options,” Phillips added.
2. Bellinger and Tucker coming off strong seasons
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Bellinger is coming off a strong season in the Bronx. The 30-year-old hit 29 home runs with a .272 average and 98 RBI and opted out of his contract to test free agency.
Meanwhile, Tucker also had a strong season with the Chicago Cubs, where the 28-year-old hit .266 with 22 home runs and 73 RBI and won a Silver Slugger.
While Cashman has confirmed that he is in touch with both players’ agents, Phillips believes the Yankees’ priority for now is still Bellinger.
“I think you’re talking to him [agents] about all they have available, and I don’t think Tucker is their number one priority. I do think it’s Bellinger,” he concluded.
3. Mets and Blue Jays Could Challenge Yankees Pursuit
While the Yankees are hoping to secure their priorities as soon as possible, they will face major competition from other top teams this offseason.
Tucker has been linked with multiple contenders, including the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Dodgers. Bellinger is also on the radar of the Mets, who reportedly see him as a possible replacement for Pete Alonso if the veteran does not return.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays, after a heartbreaking World Series defeat, are expected to be aggressive on the market and have identified Bellinger as an alternative if they fail to land Tucker in free agency.
So whether they see Bellinger as plan A or still leave room for Tucker, Cashman knows both are targets and the Yankees will need to act quickly before the market moves.