Yankees linked to projected $600 million Cubs superstar by MLB insider

The New York Yankees could be an extremely dangerous team in free agency this winter.

After Juan Soto spurned the Yankees for the New York Mets last year, the Bronx Bombers could be out to show that they're still serious about outbidding their big-market foes when there's a player they really want on the market.

There's really one name that stands above the rest in this year's free-agent class. Chicago Cubs superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker, a three-time All-Star at age 28, looks to be headed for a massive payday.

How much loot will Tucker haul in? One baseball insider shared an updated prediction, while identifying some of his top suitors.

On Wednesday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic projected that Tucker will get a $600 million-plus free agent deal, while naming the Yankees as a top expected suitor alongside the Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Tucker has led the Cubs to a first-place start in the NL Central and is considered a top-five MVP candidate," Bowden wrote. "The three-time All-Star, one-time Gold Glove winner and one-time Silver Slugger looks like he’ll have an opportunity to hit that trifecta in his free-agent walk year."

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"Following Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million deal in free agency and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension, Tucker is expected to land a nine-figure contract that starts with a 6. Several big-market teams, including the Cubs, Phillies, Yankees and Dodgers, should be in play for him."

Tucker is slashing .268/.381/.532 in his first season as a Cub, totaling 11 home runs and 34 RBI. Though he's cooled off a bit of late, he's still high on the list of potential Most Valuable Player candidates in the National League, as Bowden insinuates.

The Yankees were tormented by Tucker for many years during his time with the Houston Astros. Though he and Aaron Judge both play right field for the moment, the Soto tenure last season showed that the Yankees will be able to make the positional alignment work somehow.

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