The New York Yankees are facing a grim offseason reality: the man they relied on in center field, Cody Bellinger, is likely heading for the exit.
Despite a season where the Yankees led the Majors in home runs (274) and runs (849), their October failure has highlighted serious roster imbalances, and re-signing Bellinger is looking like an uphill battle they aren’t willing to fight.
According to NJ.com’s Randy Miller, the organization is “not confident that they’ll be successful” in retaining the former MVP. With super-agent Scott Boras representing Bellinger, the years and money are expected to “soar far above their comfort zone,” especially with several other big-market clubs likely to be “all in on a signing.”
This sentiment was echoed on the “Locked On Yankees” podcast, where analyst Brian McKeon suggested Bellinger may not be in the team’s plans. When discussing outfield options, the conversation immediately pivoted to other names.
But what about Tucker?
The biggest prize, Kyle Tucker, was floated as a replacement, but at a staggering cost. McKeon estimated Tucker “is going to cost over $400 million.”
That price tag may be a non-starter, as FanSided’s Jake Elman noted that Tucker alone “won’t fix the Yankees’ many issues,” such as bullpen management and defensive inconsistencies. Sinking that much capital into one player would prevent the team from addressing its multiple other weaknesses.
With Bellinger likely gone and Tucker likely too expensive, the Yankees’ focus has fallen on their incumbent center fielder, Trent Grisham. McKeon believes Grisham is the one “they are going to get,” primarily because he is the affordable, controllable option.
Should the Yankees go for Grisham?
However, Grisham represents a massive gamble. The team has five days after the World Series to decide whether to extend him a $22.5 million qualifying offer.
On one hand, Grisham had a breakout 2025, smashing 34 home runs with 74 RBIs. On the other hand, as NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch warned, “it’s worth remembering that Trent Grisham batted just .235 this season and was only 2-for-17 in the ALDS.”
Klapisch summarized the Yankees’ dilemma perfectly: Grisham is a “career .218 hitter.” While “the Yankees will need Grisham back in 2026 if Bellinger bolts,” Klapisch concluded, “there’s no reason to believe he’ll ever hit for a meaningful average.”
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