Yankees targeting Cubs’ Cody Bellinger — but money issues remain in pursuit

DALLAS — The nice thing about saving $760 million is that you have plenty of spending money to spread around. Which explains how the Yankees can pursue a smorgasbord of stars — including Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, Christian Walker and Anthony Santander — with the assumption they still have multiple big moves to go.

After reeling in longtime Braves star Max Fried for a lefty-record $218M over eight years, thus bolstering an already solid pitching rotation, they are here targeting a coterie of impact position players. The emphasis is on third base, first base and outfield.

Bellinger looked like the best fit of all as a lefty-hitting first baseman/center fielder, and while the Yankees and Cubs were still apart on money, there was said to be a bit of progress late Wednesday.

There’s some promise there.

Bellinger would bring great defense at first and proper insurance to center field in case Jasson Dominguez isn’t ready.

The hang-up was about money, with the Cubs asking the Yankees to take on nearly the full $52.5M Bellinger’s due over the next couple years, and the Yankees expecting more cash coming back.

Bellinger, a former MVP with a big skill set who’s played in the second- and third-biggest markets, declined to opt out so presumably his deal was a little strong following only a solid offensive season.

But with the prices rising across the board, the two big-market teams have a chance to work something out.

The Yankees are also considering Alonso or Walker.

Alonso, beloved by Mets fans, is also said to have some interest in going to the Yankees if the Mets never seriously engage with him. (The Yankees also might not mind poaching Alonso after their $760M bid to retain superstar Juan Soto was topped by the Mets’ winning offer of $765M.)

The Yankees were also seriously pursuing Astros superstar Kyle Tucker in trade, and it felt almost certain he was going to be dealt somewhere.

However, there’s strong competition there, with the Phillies, Giants and especially Cubs gunning for Tucker.

The trade discussion with the North Siders revolved around right fielder Seiya Suzuki and third baseman Isaac Paredes, with the Astros also hoping for the Cubs to include one of their past two No. 1 draft choices — either 3B Cam Smith or SS Matt Shaw.

Santander, an outfielder most recently with the Orioles, is another player who interests the Yankees.

He actually outhomered Soto. The rival Blue Jays are in on Santander, who’s seeking five years.

The Yankees are also looking at Bregman, the longtime Astros third baseman, who’d significantly shore up the infield defense and allow Jazz Chisholm to move to second base, where he knows what he’s doing.

Nevertheless, the rival Red Sox, Astros and others are also involved.