The Toronto Blue Jays are pursuing Kyle Tucker, but they have some competition for the star slugger.
Toronto has been one of the most aggressive teams this offseason, but the team isn’t done. The Blue Jays are still showing interest in Tucker and Bo Bichette, but the latter seems unlikely at this point.
With Tucker unsigned, MLB insider Jon Heyman revealed on his Bleacher Report live stream that the Blue Jays are battling with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
“It feels like it’s the Jays, Dodgers or Mets at this point,” Heyman said during a Bleacher Report livestream on Wednesday. “We still have five weeks to go til the season starts. There have been big-time players who have signed in February or even late February. I know Bryce Harper was Feb. 28. Manny Machado was just before that.
“So, I’m not worried about Tucker, not that he needs my concern, but I do feel like it’s if it’s not the Jays, it does feel like the Dodgers and Mets are the most likely candidates to potentially sign him.”
With Tucker likely down to three teams, it puts the Blue Jays in a good spot to sign the star slugger. Toronto has shown plenty of interest in Tucker. Perhaps the team will top off its offseason with the signing of the top free agent.
Tucker Could Sign Short-Term Deal
With Tucker’s market appearing to be slow-moving, the star slugger could sign a short-term deal.
Tucker is one of the top free agents available, but he may not get the long-term deal he wanted. MLB insider Mike Axisa of CBS Sports reported that Tucker could sign a short-term deal to re-enter free agency.
“Short-term, high-salary deals have become increasingly popular the last few years,” Axisa wrote. “Teams love them because they limit long-term risk and typically only capture peak performance seasons. Players take them because the long-term contract they want isn’t there. And a short-term deal sets them up to test free agency again in the near future. Often without the qualifying offer attached.
“Tucker could take a short-term contract (i.e. multiple years with opt outs) this offseason because he doesn’t like the long-term offers on the table and he believes he’ll be better positioned to cash in next winter. Tucker had hand and calf injuries in the second half in 2025. It’s not crazy to think that, with good health in 2026, he’ll be even more in demand a year from now.”
ESPN reported that Tucker has both short and long-term options, so he could make the decision.
Tucker hit .266 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs. He’s a four-time MLB All-Star.
Blue Jays Have Money to Spend
Toronto has been active this offseason, and the team isn’t done.
After introducing Kazuma Okamoto, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said ownership has given them their full support to spend more if needed.
“You have heard me say, probably too many times to count, that we will always be open to making our organization and team better, if there is a way to do that,” Atkins said on Tuesday. “At this point, we were answering the question back in early December and even in November, that we felt good about our team. That remains the case.
“We’ve made it better, so we do feel good about your team. The one thing I would add is that additions at this point would cut away from playing time from players we feel are very good Major League pieces. So we have to factor that in. But we’ve always had incredible support from ownership.”
If the Blue Jays have money to spend, Tucker is the logical fit. Although the team has shown interest in Bichette, it’s been said that a return is unlikely.
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