The New York Yankees face a crucial decision in strengthening their outfield: should they re-sign Cody Bellinger or opt for Kyle Tucker?

With the MLB offseason underway, the traditional powerhouse New York Yankees are focusing their biggest reinforcement efforts on the outfield. Cody Bellinger, who played for the Yankees last season but chose to opt out of his contract, and Kyle Tucker, one of the top free agents on the market, have become the two main candidates under serious consideration. U.S. media have conducted in-depth analyses on this matter.

Statistically, both players had notable performances last season: Tucker appeared in 136 games for the Chicago Cubs, hitting .266 with 133 hits, 22 home runs, 25 stolen bases, and 73 RBIs; Bellinger played 152 games for the Yankees, batting .272 with 160 hits, 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. His on-base percentage was .334, slugging .480, and OPS 0.814. Notably, his 29 homers marked a six-year high, while his 13.7% strikeout rate and 18.1% swing-and-miss rate were career bests, reflecting an outstanding performance.

Veteran journalist Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts that the Yankees will make a major signing this offseason, possibly offering Tucker a 10-year, $427 million contract. Bowden highlights that the key factor is whether Tucker is willing to play left field. If he agrees, he would become a cornerstone of the Yankees’ lineup for the next decade.

From the Yankees’ perspective, the team’s total payroll this year may be kept around $300 million. Successfully signing Tucker within this budget would significantly boost the team’s competitiveness. Meanwhile, Bellinger, now a free agent, aims to test his market value. If the Yankees want to retain him, they will face competition from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, and two strong National League East teams—the Phillies and the Mets.

However, some U.S. media analysts suggest the Yankees might ultimately decide against signing either player and instead continue developing their 22-year-old outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez as the left fielder. Although his current stats don’t compare to those of the two stars, his potential for future growth is immense. Regardless of the final choice, acquiring either Tucker or Bellinger would immediately strengthen the Yankees’ outfield, a result fans would surely welcome.