A December 10th X-Post from New York Post MLB Insider Jon Heyman revealed that the New York Yankees were interested in a trade for Houston Astros slugger Kyle Tucker.

“Cubs and Yankees are among the potential suitors for Kyle Tucker if the Astros seriously consider moving the OF star,” Heyman wrote.

Over the next few days, it became clearer that the Astros were indeed seriously interested in trading Tucker. And he was considered an ideal replacement for Juan Soto, as he is a left-handed outfielder who can hit with power while also boasting an impressive OPS (which was .993 last season).

However, the other team Heyman mentioned was ultimately the one that secured a deal for Tucker, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote in a Dec. 13 X post: “BREAKING: The Chicago Cubs have star outfielder Kyle Tucker in acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros, sources.” Tell ESPN. The deal is done.

It was reported that the Astros inquired about AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil as part of the trade package for Tucker, which may have been a reason the Yankees ultimately did not trade for him.

With Tucker no longer on the roster, the Yankees will have to look elsewhere to bolster their lineup following Soto’s departure. Luckily, they have a few compelling options.

New York has been linked to Chicago Cubs star Cody Bellinger in trade talks. Like Tucker, Bellinger makes a lot of sense because he is a left-handed, hard-hitting outfielder who could help balance a lineup that features several right-handed hitters like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

And now that Tucker is headed to Chicago, the Cubs may be more willing to part ways with Bellinger.

However, if a move for Bellinger doesn’t materialize, there are two powerful right-handers available in free agency who could be a good fit: Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernández.

Again, the Yankees have been linked to both players. And while it’s not ideal that they’re right-handed, both had better seasons than Bellinger in 2024.

Although adding an outfielder isn’t the Yankees’ only option — as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale suggested in a Dec. 13 X post.

“If the Houston Astros complete their Kyle Tucker trade for 3B Isaac Parades, 3B prospect Cam Smith and pitcher Hayden Wesneski, that would certainly open the door for the New York Yankees to sign 3B Alex Bregman,” Nightengale wrote.

The Yankees were linked to Bregman during this offseason. And while there’s still bad blood between him and Yankees fans following his role in the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal, New York fans will likely forgive him if he comes to the Bronx and starts brawling.