The Yankees got a bit of an unexpected development on Tuesday when Trent Grisham accepted their $22.025 million qualifying offer. But that still leaves the big question: what’s going on with free agent Cody Bellinger? With only days left, it’s looking tough for the Yankees to wrap up a deal for him the same way they did with Grisham.

Well, this offseason, Bellinger and Kyle Tucker have been the two headline names dominating the conversation. And the fact that the Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Yankees are all involved has only made the chase more intriguing. The Yankees have long been linked to both Tucker and Bellinger as potential upgrades for an elite outfield spot.

But if recent reports are accurate, New York might have to overpay to land either one. That, too, after the GM insisted that Grisham’s decision doesn’t change their pursuit of Bellinger, who remains a top priority.

“Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Dodgers have expressed a legitimate interest in Cody Bellinger, while the Blue Jays are considered the favorites for Kyle Tucker, according to rival executives. If the Yankees are going to want to land a premier outfielder, they are going to have to overpay for those services,” Everything Yankees reported.

Notably, it’s the Blue Jays’ aggressive pursuit of Kyle Tucker that’s shaken up the market.

Their interest has been widely reported, tightening the entire outfield landscape. Executives view Toronto as one of the leading suitors for Tucker after their World Series run, and their willingness to engage in a long-term deal has pushed other contenders to act faster.

That pressure has already had ripple effects. It nudged the Dodgers toward Cody Bellinger and pushed the Yankees into what’s becoming a straight-up price battle for their top outfield target.

As Jeff Passan reported, the Blue Jays have no plans to slow down, and rival executives see them as the favorites to land Tucker.

Passan also confirmed that Los Angeles has a real interest in a Bellinger reunion, largely because Tucker is expected to command a contract length the Dodgers are unlikely to match. That calculus has elevated Bellinger to the top of their offseason priority list.

And Toronto seems perfectly comfortable putting an 11-year projected deal on the table.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, aren’t expected to meet the kind of long-term commitment Tucker wants, which has naturally shifted their attention to Cody Bellinger.

With Los Angeles comfortable operating in the range of a deal north of $180 million, they’re well-positioned to make a serious push for a reunion.

That puts the Yankees in a difficult spot. To land Bellinger, they’ll likely have to outbid both Toronto and Los Angeles — not only in dollars, but in contract length. And as Jeff Passan noted, any deal at that level would be viewed as a clear overpay for New York.

With two aggressive contenders in the mix, the Yankees are under more pressure than ever to stretch financially if they want to secure their top outfield target.

A few other teams are also ahead of the Yankees for Tucker

Leave alone the Dodgers and Blue Jays, even teams like the Giants and Orioles are reportedly pursuing Kyle Tucker.

Well, the Orioles still look like a team with a bright future, even after a frustrating 2025 season. Gunnar Henderson has shortstop secured for years to come. And Jackson Holliday gave fans a glimpse of why he was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. So, what Baltimore could really use now is another big power bat to pair with Henderson, especially with the AL East getting tougher.

The Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Yankees all look like they could be World Series contenders as soon as next year. Hence, adding someone like Kyle Tucker would give the Orioles a major boost.

On the other hand, Passan also pointed out that the Giants could be a strong fit. Why? Because they’ve got an opening in right field and Tucker would instantly elevate their lineup.

However, with all this competition building for Tucker and the Dodgers zeroing in on Bellinger, the Yankees might be staring at yet another missed opportunity. If you can recall, that’s something that’s become all too familiar in recent years.