The New York Yankees face a pivotal winter and are in need of key additions if they hope to return to the World Series. One of the first priorities is bringing back Cody Bellinger.

“But the one thing that Bellinger provides that Tucker doesn’t—two things actually—center field and first base. I’ll throw in a third thing: no qualifying offer. Tucker will have a qualifying offer that could affect him a little bit. Not that much because he’s a big star. He is the No. 1 free agent but in many respects Bellinger had a better year,” MLB insider Jon Heyman said.

Beyond Bellinger, the Yankees will also need to address their starting rotation, especially given the injuries that could impact the beginning of the season.

“According to Boone, Gerrit Cole, who missed all of 2025 to recover from Tommy John surgery, won’t be ready to pitch in a game come Opening Day. While Cole is on an expected timeline, it’s a letdown for a team that spent all season eager for him to return. Clarke Schmidt, who was taken out of the rotation in July to undergo the same surgery, won’t be available until the second half of 2026, if at all,” SI’s Delilah Bourque wrote.

One potential offseason target is Miami Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara.

“Alcantara will be another year removed from his Tommy John surgery, which bodes well for his chances of returning to his Cy Young form. The Marlins hold a team option for Alcantara for 2027, so he’s under team control for two more seasons. Team likely to have interest: Yankees,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden wrote.

Acquiring Alcantara would be a logical move for the Yankees, as he would be locked up for at least the next two seasons and comes with a proven track record. This addition could provide a major boost in the playoffs once the rotation is fully healthy, addressing a critical need for the team in multiple ways.