Blue Jays in Heated Race With Dodgers and Mets for Superstar Kyle Tucker
In this story:
The race for Kyle Tucker seems to have narrowed. Former MLB executive Jim Duquette reported Sunday that three teams have emerged as serious contenders, and Toronto is one of them.
Duquette confirmed on social media that the Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Mets have all met with the four-time All-Star. Each club has sat down with Tucker, either in person or over Zoom, as part of their recruitment pitch, signaling that the chase has entered its final stage.
A League source confirmed to me that the three main teams involved in the Tucker negotiations (Tor, LAD, NYM) have all met with the player, either in person or over Zoom, as part of the recruiting process for a star player. Will be interesting to see if any of the 3 teams…
— Jim Duquette (@JimDuquetteGM) January 12, 2026
Toronto hosted Tucker at their Dunedin facility on December 3. Manager John Schneider revealed details of that meeting during an interview with Sportsnet's Hazel Mae at the winter meetings. The conversation lasted roughly 90 minutes and covered organizational direction, roster construction, and ownership commitment. It remains the only confirmed in-person visit reported this winter.
Tucker lives in Tampa, making the short drive to Dunedin simple logistics. But geography alone doesn't land a meeting with the best free agent available. The Blue Jays got face time because they've backed their interest with massive financial commitments all winter.
Schneider came away impressed by Tucker's attention to detail. The outfielder broke down his defensive reads, baserunning instincts, and the mental side of stealing bases rather than just listening to Toronto's sales pitch. That level of engagement suggested genuine interest, not a courtesy meeting.
"He talked about his defense, he talked about his baserunning, he talked about his baseball IQ, what he looks for when he is playing defense, certain tells in a pitcher to try to get 25 bags instead of 20. So it's pretty cool to hear that part of his game," Schneider said.
Toronto has committed over $350 million in contracts this winter, including a $500 million extension for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and $210 million for Dylan Cease. Adding Tucker would push their payroll past approximately $565-600 million, but ownership hasn't hesitated at any point during this aggressive offseason.
Tucker fits the roster perfectly. The Blue Jays need a left-handed bat after falling two outs short of a championship last season. Signing Kazuma Okamoto earlier this month solidified the infield, freeing up resources for the outfield upgrade they've been chasing. Tucker would slot into right field alongside George Springer and Myles Straw, both former Astros teammates who provide immediate chemistry.
Reports indicate Toronto plans to offer a longer contract than its competitors. The Mets prefer a shorter deal with high annual value, likely under four years. The Dodgers typically follow a similar structure, though their track record of swooping in late makes them unpredictable in any high-profile negotiation.
Tucker initially sought $400 million when free agency opened. The market has been quieter than expected, with most projections now landing between $288 million over eight years and $350 million over 10 years. Some analysts believe he might have to settle for a shorter deal with opt-outs if the bidding stays conservative.
Blue Jays Face Stiff Competition as Free Agency Drags
The stalled offseason has created uncertainty around Tucker's timeline. Alex Bregman signed with the Cubs over the weekend, finally breaking a logjam among position players. Tucker, Bo Bichette, and Cody Bellinger remain unsigned as teams wait for more dominoes to fall before making their final moves.
Duquette speculated that the three finalists are close in their offers, meaning one team might need to increase its bid significantly to separate from the pack. That puts pressure on Toronto to act decisively rather than playing wait-and-see with two deep-pocketed competitors.
Los Angeles brings two straight championships and a reputation for landing stars when it matters most. The Dodgers may prefer a shorter contract structure that doesn't block top prospects Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope long-term.
New York comes motivated after losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz in free agency, and also dealt away Brandon Nimmo to Texas. Owner Steve Cohen has deep pockets and wants to make headlines after missing out on other high-profile targets this winter. The Mets can match any financial offer Toronto puts forward without blinking.
Tucker posted a .266/.377/.464 slash line last season with 22 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 136 games. His walk rate ranked in the top 10 among qualified hitters, and he's posted an OPS above .800 every single year since 2020, putting him in elite company.
Toronto counters with momentum from a pennant run and a track record of player development. The $100 million renovation of their Dunedin complex serves as a recruiting tool, and former teammates already in the clubhouse provide immediate connections that matter when a player weighs multiple nine-figure offers.
The Blue Jays have backup options if Tucker signs elsewhere, but landing him would complete a historic winter. Pairing him with Guerrero would create one of baseball's most dangerous lineups. Toronto came agonizingly close last fall, and Tucker might be the difference between another near-miss and a championship parade.
More Blue Jays News
Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from the London School of Journalism and brings four years of experience in sports media coverage. His current focus is MLB coverage spanning the Blue Jays, Astros, Rangers, Marlins, Tigers, and Rockies, with additional expertise in basketball and college football.