MLB Executives Predict Yanks to Land Prize Free Agent

MLB executives predicted to ESPN that free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker is most likely to land with the Yankees.

Tucker's Home/Road Comparison

Tucker had a down year in 2025 compared to his usual MVP-caliber standards, but he still put together a solid offensive campaign. The left-handed slugger finished the season hitting .257/.347/.449 with 22 home runs, 81 RBI, and a 124 wRC+, a noticeable dip from his elite 2023–24 production but still well above league average. His power output in particular saw a decline, as his ISO dropped nearly 40 points year-over-year, and his hard-hit rate slid from the mid-40s into the high-30s. Even so, Tucker continued to grade out as one of baseball’s most disciplined hitters, posting more walks (12.4%) than strikeouts (12.1%) and maintaining a strong contact profile against both righties and lefties.

Tucker struggled a lot this season at Wrigley Field, which has quietly become a nightmare for lefty power hitters in recent years. His home numbers cratered compared to his production on the road — at Wrigley, he posted just a .198/.276/.341 slash line, with only 6 home runs and a noticeably reduced pull-side power profile.

Away from Chicago, however, he looked far more like his usual self, hitting .257/.338/.472 with 14 home runs, benefitting from more neutral or hitter-friendly environments. The drastic split shows how much Wrigley’s inconsistent winds, deep power alleys, and left-handed–suppressing conditions have impacted lefty bats, and Tucker was no exception. The same happened with Cody Bellinger the season prior.

Tucker's Contract

Tucker is not going to get the $400M contract we all were expecting when the season began, but he might not even get a long term deal. One executive told ESPN that they believe he will sign a shorter term deal with opt outs to prove his worth. With Tucker having a poor offensive 2025 season, albeit with injuries, that might be the road he takes and the Yankees should jump on that

Why Tucker Works for The Yankees

Over Bellinger, the Yankees should go get Tucker. He would make the Yankees lineup much better than it was even with Bellinger. Last offseason, the Yankees tried to trade for Tucker, but the Astros were unwilling to negotiate with the Yankees, and the Yankees were unwilling to include Luis Gil in any trade offers. The interest in Tucker should not change, and if it did, it's based on money. With Grisham returning the defensive versatility that Bellinger provides is significantly less meaningful. Tucker is also not a bad defender by any means. The Yankees would skyrocket their lineup to be among the best in baseball. In their quest to win another championship, bringing in the best talent on the free agent market would only boost that, and he is the best talent.