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The New York Yankees could make a big splash in MLB free agency.
The New York Yankees have some work to do if the club wants to return to World Series contention in 2026. There is good news for Yankees fans as plenty of MLB rumors are swirling about who New York could land in free agency.
Amid these ongoing rumors, there appears to be a growing buzz that the Yankees could look to poach a star player from the Chicago Cubs. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that MLB general managers are labeling the Yankees as one of three favorites with the best chance to land Cubs 4-time All-Star Kyle Tucker.
“Tucker, a native of Tampa, will sign with the Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays or (Los Angeles) Dodgers, GMs predict,” Nightengale wrote in a November 10, 2025, story titled, “10 biggest MLB hot stove questions, from top free agents to latest trade rumors.”
“The San Francisco Giants are a darkhorse, but considering they still owe Rafael Devers $250 million, are in the second year of a seven-year, $182 million contract with Willy Adames and the second of a six-year, $151 million extension with Matt Chapman, there’s only so many nine-figure contracts the Giants can seemingly afford.”
Let’s explore Tucker’s potential fit with the Yankees.
Cubs Outfielder Kyle Tucker Is Projected to Land a $400 Contract in MLB Free Agency
Tucker will not come without a high price for the Yankees or whatever team signs the star. Nightengale projects Tucker’s likely deal in the neighborhood of $400 million.
“It’s the annual Major League Baseball General Manager Meetings in Las Vegas where they will stage the ultimate game,” Nightengale noted.
“They will have you believing their ownership has no money, only to fork over $400 million for free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker or sign starters Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease.”
Tucker had a $16.5 million salary in 2025 but is headed for a sizable raise. Spotrac projects Tucker’s market value to be a 10-year, $401 million contract.
Yankees Rumors: Would New York Prefer Kyle Tucker Over Re-Signing Cody Bellinger?
CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson predicts Tucker will command slightly less money annually and projects the outfielder will sign a 12-year, $408 million deal. Whatever the final number, it could prompt the Yankees to cut ties with some of their own key free agents. Cody Bellinger headlines the Yankees’ list of free agents who could explore alternative options.
“Tucker is a fascinating case. He’s good at everything, but his Baseball Reference page features minimal bold type,” Anderson noted in a November 7, article titled, “Predicting free agency contracts for Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Framber Valdez, Pete Alonso and more.” “He’s also coming off an uneven season, his second in a row with a disruptive injury. I think Tucker joins a select group of outfielders (Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts) to clear $30 million annually.
“I also think he’ll sign for a long term to leverage his youth (29 in January) and flatten his tax hit. Beyond that? I could see him besting this estimate by being the best player available in a weak market.”
Time will tell who the Yankees land in MLB free agency, but it would be a surprise if New York does not make some sort of a big splash this offseason.
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
