Could the New York Yankees still find a way to land Kyle Tucker?
Heading into the offseason, everyone knew that Kyle Tucker would be the top free agent available, and the New York Yankees were labeled as one of the top potential destinations for the four-time All-Star outfielder.
However, with Tucker expected to land a contract in the neighborhood of $400 million and the Yankees evidently cutting back on payroll (at least in some capacity), it doesn't appear that Tucker will be Bronx-bound.
But is there a way for New York to sign Tucker without it being financially crippling?
Paul Hembekides of ESPN has pitched a couple of unique scenarios in which adding Tucker would actually be palatable to the Yankees, particularly if his market remains dry.
One method is a one-plus-one deal, where Tucker would sign a two-year contract with a player option for 2027. The pact would be worth $104 million in total, good for an average annual salary of $52 million. This would allow Tucker to get paid handsomely in 2026 while also permitting him to re-test the market next winter.
The other avenue is a two-plus-two contract that would pay Tucker $172 million over four seasons. It would feature an opt out after the second year and would see Tucker pocket $43 million annually.
Of course, having an extra $52 million contract on the payroll for 2026 may prove to be out of the question for Hal Steinbrenner, and $43 million may be pushing it, too.
But this style of contract would at least prevent the Yankees from having to hand Tucker a decade-long contract that would require them giving up $40 million per year.
New York seems to favor Cody Bellinger over Tucker anyway, but if the Yanks actually feel that Tucker will end up being a better value pick, a union between the two sides may not be entirely out of the realm of possibility.
While no concrete numbers have been established, Bellinger appears to be seeking a deal worth well beyond what the Yankees — or any other team — is willing to pay, so if it comes down to Tucker on a short-term deal or potentially overpaying Bellinger over the course of six or seven years, New York may choose Tucker.
Now, there is also the chance that the Yanks don't sign either player, especially if Steinbrenner is drawing a hard line with the payroll.
There is still plenty of time left in the winter, so we'll see what happens.