Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker and his chances of signing with the Mets…
Jan. 14, 8:30 p.m.
As the baseball awaits Kyle Tucker’s decision, it seems the Mets will have to wait a bit longer to know if they’ve won the right to sign the top hitter of the offseason.
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The NY Post’s Mike Puma reports that the Mets are not expecting Tucker’s decision until at least Thursday. This comes after Puma reported that Mets brass expected an answer “relatively soon” and that they don’t have a read on which way he might be leaning.
New York has been one of the three teams that have been the most aggressive for Tucker’s services. The Blue Jays and Dodgers are the other two.
The Mets have reportedly offered a short-term contract worth $50 million annually, with some reports having the deal be for three or four years.
Jan. 14, 12:26 p.m.
The Mets’ offer to Tucker could be for four years.
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“From what I can tell, it’s likely they’ve gone to a fourth year on this,” SNY analyst and SiriusXM’s Jim Duquette reported on Wednesday afternoon.
Duquette added that there would be an opt-out — and possibly multiple opt-outs — as part of the deal.
Additionally, Duquette notes that Steve Cohen is involved in the process.
According to multiple reports on Tuesday, the Mets had extended a three-year offer to Tucker worth $50 million annually.
In addition to the Mets, the Blue Jays have also reportedly made Tucker an offer, with Toronto’s being of the long-term variety. There has not been any information regarding the amount of the Blue Jays’ offer or whether it contains deferrals.
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The Dodgers have also been in the mix for Tucker.
Jan. 13, 7:17 p.m.
With the news of the Mets offering Tucker a short-term, high-AAV deal worth $50 million per year breaking earlier on Tuesday, the Blue Jays have also reportedly made an offer to the outfielder — a long-term deal that pays Tucker less per year than New York’s offer.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers, the other most aggressive suitor in the Tucker sweepstakes, continue to lurk and have the capability to offer a massive short-term deal as well, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, although no numbers have been reported.
Jan. 13, 8:40 a.m.
The Yankees are “on the periphery” of the Tucker situation, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
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With negotiations between the Yanks and Cody Bellinger reportedly at “an impasse,” the Bombers — who are still attempting to work something out with Bellinger — have been exploring alternative options.
In addition to Tucker and Bellinger, Bo Bichette remains on the free agent market.
Tucker has been linked most seriously lately to the Blue Jays, Mets, and Dodgers, and has reportedly taken meetings with all three teams.
The expectation at the beginning of the offseason was that Tucker would receive a massive deal in terms of both length and dollars. However, it now seems possible he’ll opt for a shorter-term deal with opt-outs and a much higher average annual value than he would otherwise receive under a long-term pact.
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Jan. 11, 9:35 p.m.
The Mets, Dodgers, and Blue Jays – the three teams identified as the main teams involved in the pursuit for Tucker – have either “in person or over Zoom,” met with the free agent outfielder, according to a report Sunday night from former MLB exec and MLB Network radio analyst Jim Duquette.
Duquette added that this is “part of the recruiting process for a star player,” but that it will “be interesting to see” if any of the teams increase their offers to “separate themselves from the other.”
Jan. 7, 8:24 p.m.
Earlier reports suggested that Tucker may have to settle for a short-term deal with a high AAV, but one team is seemingly willing to commit to the All-Star outfielder long term.
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The Athletic’s Will Sammon reports that while the Mets, Dodgers and Blue Jays are among Tucker’s options this offseason, New York’s preference is to offer a shorter contract. Sammon speculates the Mets would like to make a deal with a length of less than four years. However, the Blue Jays are expected to offer a longer contract this offseason.
Sammon notes that the Dodgers should not be ignored, as they have a history of swooping in and making deals.
After trading Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, Juan Soto is the only Mets outfielder written on the lineup in pen. Tyrone Taylor and Carson Benge are the current top candidates to fill center field and left field, but adding Tucker would immediately change that equation.
Jan. 6, 8:37 p.m.
Three teams have emerged as the most “aggressive” in their pursuit of Tucker.
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According to former MLB exec and MLB Network radio analyst Jim Duquette, the Mets, Dodgers and Blue Jays are the most aggressive suitors for Tucker. However, Duquette adds that nothing appears imminent and there is some distance between the other team reportedly interested and the main three.
The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon reported Tuesday that Toronto has increased their efforts to recruit Tucker as he fits their roster construction better than former infielder Bo Bichette. After signing Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto, the Blue Jays’ infield is likely set, while an outfield addition is easier. Adding Tucker would mean Anthony Santander would move to left field, allowing George Springer to play most of the time as the team’s DH.
Jan. 5, 2:08 p.m.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Monday that Tucker’s market is “the biggest mystery,” adding that he could have to “take a higher AAV on a short-term contract and hit the market again after two consecutive injury-plagued second halves.”
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Many believed Tucker’s market would result in a massive contract in terms of length, with some projecting a contract of 10 or even 11 years. However, that may not be the case if teams balk at the idea of a long-term commitment.