NEW YORK — The New York Yankees have shifted gears. After weeks of back-and-forth talks with Cody Bellinger, the organization now believes he will sign elsewhere. And two marquee free agents have emerged as their new focus.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Saturday that negotiations between the Yankees and Bellinger are “at an impasse.” The team is moving forward with other plans. Those plans center on Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette.
The 30-year-old outfielder enjoyed a resurgent 2025 campaign in the Bronx. He slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI across 152 games. His performance at Yankee Stadium was particularly impressive. He hit .302 with 18 home runs at home, taking full advantage of the short porch in right field.
Contract length remains the sticking point
The Yankees have offered Bellinger more than $30 million per year. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reported Thursday that the proposal is for five years. That would place the total value above $150 million.
Bellinger and his agent Scott Boras want seven years. The Yankees prefer four to five. Neither side appears willing to budge. This gap has created a standoff that pushed the Yankees to explore alternatives.
The offer mirrors recent deals for top free agent bats. Pete Alonso signed with Baltimore for five years and $155 million. Kyle Schwarber returned to Philadelphia on a five-year, $150 million pact. Bellinger is seeking something considerably longer.
Tucker and Bichette become the new targets
According to Bolavip, the Yankees are now actively engaged with both Tucker and Bichette. Olney confirmed the pivot in his Saturday report. The team is no longer waiting on Bellinger to make a decision.
Tucker represents the premier bat on the market. The four-time All-Star posted an OPS above .900 in the first half of 2025 before injuries slowed him down. He finished in the 92nd percentile for expected weighted on-base average. His combination of power, plate discipline and outfield defense makes him the most complete hitter available.
Over the past two seasons, only Juan Soto and Tucker have maintained a 1:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio while slugging at an elite level. He enters his age-28 season with the ability to help a lineup immediately. Yankee Stadium’s short right field porch would suit his pull-heavy approach perfectly.
Bichette offers a different path for the Yankees
The former Blue Jays shortstop gives the Yankees an intriguing infield option. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported earlier this week that the Yankees are “looking more seriously” at Bichette because of the gap in their Bellinger negotiations.
Bichette hit .311 with an .840 OPS in 2025. He drove in 94 runs and collected 44 doubles across 139 games before a knee injury ended his regular season. The two-time All-Star returned for the World Series and has signaled willingness to move to second base for the right opportunity.
The Yankees have fielded trade inquiries for Jazz Chisholm Jr. Moving him would open a spot for Bichette. Anthony Volpe remains the shortstop, and Bichette could slot in at second or even third base while Volpe recovers from shoulder surgery.
Why walking away from Bellinger makes sense
The numbers reveal why the Yankees are hesitant to commit long term. Bellinger posted a .909 OPS at Yankee Stadium in 2025. On the road, that figure dropped to .715. His away slash line of .241/.301/.414 raises questions about how he would perform over the final years of a seven-year deal.
His hard-hit rate of 37.9 percent ranked just above league average. His expected batting average and expected slugging were both middle of the pack. The defensive metrics were strong with plus-11 Defensive Runs Saved and plus-7 Outs Above Average. But teams bidding on a long contract are examining those underlying numbers carefully.
Bellinger struggled on the open market twice before. The Dodgers non-tendered him after 2022. He settled for a one-year deal with the Cubs in 2023. The following winter, he had to accept another short-term contract because the long-term offers never came.
Other teams remain in the mix for Bellinger
The Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Angels and Blue Jays have all been connected to Bellinger at various points. Chicago could bring him back for a third stint after he spent 2023 and part of 2024 with the organization.
But no team has publicly offered more than what the Yankees put on the table. If five years at more than $30 million per year is truly the best offer available, Bellinger and Boras may need to reconsider their strategy.
The Yankees are not waiting to find out. Pitchers and catchers report next month. General manager Brian Cashman has said he would “love to add” pieces to the roster. With Bellinger seemingly off the board, Tucker and Bichette represent the best paths to address the lineup needs before spring training begins.
The Yankees have internal options as well. Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones could compete for playing time in left field. Jones is expected to make his MLB debut at some point in 2026. But neither represents the sure thing that a proven free agent would provide during the prime years of Aaron Judge’s career.
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