Yankees Hot Stove: Jack Curry Talks Potential Bader Return, Other Yankees Targets & More

The New York Yankees are locked in a dance of decisions, contemplating whether to break out a massive checkbook for Cody Bellinger or to keep exploring alternate paths.

This saga has been like waiting for a sequel that keeps getting delayed. Cody Bellinger, the former MVP who’s rolling the dice on a career resurgence, is in a stare-down with the Yankees over contract terms. The Yankees have put forward a five-year deal in the $155 to $160 million range, but Bellinger’s looking for a longer commitment. Seven years, to be precise. That’s quite a gap, and as time ticks away toward spring training, neither side is blinking.

Let’s be real. This is no casual debate. Bellinger wants security, and the Yankees? They want a power bat in their outfield, but not at any cost. It’s no secret they’re keeping their options open. The names floating around are tantalizing. Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, even a hint at rekindling the flame with Harrison Bader. Yeah, you heard that right. Our Bronx Bombers are weighing every possibility before diving in headfirst with Bellinger.

REPORT: Harrison Bader is among the outfielders that the Yankees have checked in on according to Jack Curry. pic.twitter.com/kyDF8dAdX9

— The Yankee Report (@YankeeReport_) January 13, 2026

Bellinger or Bust?

This isn’t just a negotiation—it’s a high-stakes poker game. The Yankees have drawn a line in the sand with their offer for Bellinger, but who knows how much is just bluffing? They think they have a strong hand, but if Bellinger’s camp sticks to their demand for a seven-year deal, he might just walk right into the arms of another team with quicker trigger fingers. Maybe a team that’s less cautious and more desperate for a star.

But let’s not kid ourselves. Bellinger is enticing. He’s got the potential for fireworks, an MVP pedigree to remind us of, and he’s not bad with the glove either. But with potential comes risk, and this is the Bronx. Risks aren’t just taken lightly here—each one is dissected and debated like it’s a Supreme Court case.

Jack Curry said on Yankees Hot Stove, the Yankees have ‘checked in’ on Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker.

Specifically in regards to Kyle Tucker, he stated that the Mets, Blue Jays and Dodgers are at a ‘different level’ of talks with him then the Yankees. pic.twitter.com/tAwnP1HAo1

— Joseph Esposito (@JosephEsposito0) January 13, 2026

Exploring the Alternatives

With Bellinger playing hardball, the Yankees have smartly expanded their radar. Nico Hoerner’s name pops up, though prying him away from the Cubs could cost a small fortune. Luis Robert Jr. is another intriguing possibility, but the obvious question is: can he handle New York’s pressure cooker?

Jack Curry’s got his ear to the ground, and according to his sources, the Yankees have been circling back to familiar faces like Harrison Bader while casting a wide net that spans the league. There’s a calm urgency, if you can believe that—a readiness to make moves but a caution in not overpaying.

Jack Curry has heard the price for Nico Hoerner, if he IS made available would be very high pic.twitter.com/uBPudMTPYF

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) January 13, 2026

Front Office Finesse

This offseason business? It’s not for the faint of heart. The Yankees’ front office has been a mix of pragmatism and ambition. They’ve checked in with the big guns, but they also know patience is as much a part of the game as power hitting. Options are being weighed, contingencies planned. They’re not rushing headlong into a decision that might just be the Yankees’ most significant of the season.

How do you balance longing and reality? The Bronx demands action and results, not waiting games. But, if you play it smart, and the chips fall right, this wait-and-see approach might just land us the right player at the right time and price.

Playing the Waiting Game

Oh, the Yankees. Masters of the waiting game. As the calendar flips to another year, the pinstriped faithful are left tapping their feet. Cody Bellinger is still out there, batting his eyes and holding firm. Five years? Not enough for him. Seven years? The Yankees balk. It’s like a standoff at high noon, but instead of guns, they’re armed with contracts. And Yankees fans? They’re the exasperated audience watching this endless round of poker, waiting for someone to finally fold or up the ante.

Window Shopping for Stars

While the spotlight remains on Bellinger, the Yankees are dangling their checkbook like a carrot on a stick to a slew of potential stars. Bo Bichette? Kyle Tucker? Just imagine the tabloid headlines. But let’s not kid ourselves. The Yankees are like window shoppers gazing at the shiny toys in the store, hoping to find that perfect piece without maxing out the credit card. The core issue here is clear: they want their perfect outfield fit without sacrificing their future. A noble quest, but come on. At some point, you’ve got to make a move.

And then there’s Harrison Bader. Oh yes, the return of a familiar face. A reunion wouldn’t be the worst idea, but it screams second choice. Or third. But hey, in a market where options are dwindling like a melting ice cream cone on a summer day, you might just take what you can get. Nostalgia has its price, after all.

Meanwhile, spring training looms like a menacing cloud. The Yankees are staring at their roster like a sad, half-empty pizza box, and they’re no closer to deciding what toppings to add. Yes, they’ve got talent. Yes, they’ve got potential. But potential doesn’t win championships. Actual players do. So, unless they plan to field a roster of ghosts, someone better make a decision fast.

Get ready for a bumpy ride, folks. As the Yankees twiddle their thumbs, the rest of the league isn’t sitting still. By the time they decide to splash the cash or stick to their guns, it might be too late. If this saga tells us anything, it’s that sometimes, waiting gets you nowhere.