Kyle Tucker is the top free agent on the market this winter, and the New York Yankees are widely viewed as one of his top potential destinations.

But how much do the Yankees actually want Tucker?

Remember: Cody Bellinger spent 2025 playing left field for New York, and he is the second-best position player on the open market behind Tucker.

So, who do the Yankees prefer? Is it Tucker? Or would they rather a reunion with Bellinger?

Well, Jon Heyman of The New York Post has revealed that the Yanks truly desire to re-sign Bellinger and are viewing Tucker as their backup plan in the event that Bellinger heads elsewhere.

Tucker is definitely considered the better of the two players, but Bellinger brings more versatility to the table. While Tucker is strictly a right fielder, Bellinger can play all three outfield positions as well as first base. Also, Bellinger is the far cheaper option, and he has already proven that he can handle the harsh atmosphere of the Bronx.

In an ideal world, the Yankees would sign both sluggers, but with Trent Grisham now back in center field after accepting New York's $22 million qualifying offer, that ship has sailed.

The Yankees initially acquired Bellinger via trade with the Chicago Cubs last offseason, fully understanding that the 30-year-old could decline his 2026 player option, which is exactly what he did.

There is some concern over retaining Bellinger due to his age and injury history. He has also really only had two very good seasons since winning the NL MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019, and New York may be a bit gunshy from the D.J. LeMahieu deal five years ago.

But Tucker himself comes with his fair share of concerns, as he dealt with a broken hand for much of the 2025 campaign and also had a calf injury in September. He is also expected to land a contract in the neighborhood of $400 million.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of rolling with Bellinger over Tucker is the cost, as it would allow the Yankees to allocate more money elsewhere. If they land Tucker, however, that's probably all Hal Steinbrenner will be willing to spend.

We'll see what happens in the coming weeks.