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Yankees predicted to sign Kyle Tucker.

The New York Yankees saw Juan Soto leave in free agency last offseason and could replace him with the top free agent this year.

The Yankees have a clear need to add an impact bat to the lineup. Especially if Cody Bellinger walks in free agency. Ahead of free agency opening on Thursday, MLB insider Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report predicts the Yankees will sign Kyle Tucker this offseason to a deal worth around $40 million per season.

“The Los Angeles Dodgers are widely believed to be the favorites to land Kyle Tucker in free agency this winter. With a glaring hole in left field and a bottomless pool of financial flexibility,” Reuter wrote. “However, he could be the player the New York Yankees decide to make a top priority. And, if they want to flex their own financial muscle, they are still capable of spending with any team in baseball. …

“A $40 million annual salary is not out of the question. After losing Juan Soto to the Mets last winter, the Yankees will again need to address their outfield as Cody Bellinger is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract. A reunion with Bellinger is a possibility. But an all-out blitz to sign Tucker and keep the Dodgers from adding another superstar is not out of the question.”

If the Yankees land Tucker, it would be a bold move. It would also solidify New York as a World Series favorite in 2026.

Tucker would fit in nicely right before Aaron Judge in the lineup and give the Yankees another power bat, which they missed when Soto left. He hit .266 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs last season with the Chicago Cubs.

What is Tucker Expected to Get in Free Agency Deal?

Tucker is the top free agent available and is expected to get a massive deal in free agency.

He’s one of the best hitters in all of baseball. Former general manager and now insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts Tucker will sign a 12-year, $460 million deal in free agency.

“Tucker stands to cash in thanks to two deals signed in the last 12 months: Juan Soto’s $765 million contract with the Mets and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 14-year, $500 million extension with the Blue Jays,” Bowden wrote. …

“No, he’s not Soto. But his production was about two-thirds of Soto’s. So the contract valued him at about two-thirds of Soto’s deal. In Tucker’s case, he’s been about 75 percent as valuable as Soto in the three and five years leading up to free agency. Seventy-five percent of Soto’s $51 million AAV would be just over $38 million per season. Spread that through Tucker’s age-40 season — the length Soto and Guerrero each secured — and you get a 12-year, $460 million deal.”

Tucker is a four-time All-Star and won the World Series with the Houston Astros in 2022.

Yankees GM Sends Clear Message Ahead of Offseason

New York lost in the ALDS to the Toronto Blue Jays, which was a disappointing result for the team.

Ahead of free agency opening, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to The Athletic. He made it clear that the team plans to be aggressive this offseason.

“There’s no indication (a rebuild) is something that should be considered,” Cashman told The Athletic. “We have a farm system that is producing. We have quality major leaguers winning MVPs and potentially getting Cy Young Award votes. And we have the best record in the American League (tied with Toronto at 94-68). We have Gerrit Cole coming back, along with other guys. I don’t understand how a rebuild could even be considered.”

New York won’t be rebuilding anytime soon, as with the Judge, the team is in their World Series window.

The Yankees enter 2026 with the second-best odds of winning the World Series at +750.

Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton

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