Yankees predicted to sign $460 million four-time All-Star, World Series champ to counter Blue Jays’ Dylan Cease deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees went out brutally this season, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in four games in the ALDS. And now they’re behind in the offseason, with their rivals, the Boston Red Sox, trading for Sonny Gray, and most recently, Toronto signing Dylan Cease to a long-term deal.

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Now, it’s time for them to make a move. Fansided’s Zachary Rotman believes that move is going out and acquiring the top free agent on the market: Kyle Tucker.

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“The New York Yankees finished the regular season tied with the Blue Jays record-wise, but Toronto won the season series and the playoff series against New York, proving to be a better team in 2025. There’s reason to believe that the Yankees will be better in 2026, particularly when Gerrit Cole returns from his injury, but it feels like it’ll be more of the same in the Bronx without a major offensive upgrade. That’s where Kyle Tucker comes in…Signing Tucker might make the Yankees World Series favorites. Settling for Bellinger would still give the Yankees a puncher’s chance, but Tucker is a player who can make them meaningfully better. The Jays are willing to do just about whatever it takes, so the Yankees must match or top them,” Rotman wrote.

This past season, Tucker slashed .266/.377/.464/.841 with 25 doubles, 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 136 games played. He would definitely thrive in Cody Bellinger’s place, and his numbers would skyrocket since he’s a lefty and can use the Short Porch to his advantage.

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The only caveat is the fact that the Yanks’ owner, Hal Steinbrenner, wants to lower payroll. Tucker is predicted to get a mega deal, so if they want him, they need to pay up.

Hopefully, Steinbrenner values winning more than payroll and goes out and gets Tucker.

MORE MLB NEWS

Blue Jays sign Cy Young runner-up Dylan Cease to seven-year, $210 million deal

Dodgers predicted to be “perfect fit” for $460 million four-time All-Star, World Series champion to create super outfield with Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages

Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow sends confusing message on Sonny Gray’s role in Boston, other offseason goals