The list of qualities that made Cody Bellinger a perfect fit for the New York Yankees in 2025 is long. It would start with athleticism, and you'd have to include defense, speed, contact ability, and a low strikeout rate. Should Bellinger leave in free agency, the list of guys who can provide all of that either on the open market or via trade is short. Very short.
Yes, Kyle Tucker fits that bill, but if we assume that the likely scenario is that the Yankees can't bring themselves to find an extra $400 million lying around somewhere, and instead would (shockingly) prefer a cheaper option, the trade market is where they must venture to.