The Toronto Blue Jays were among the teams interested in Kyle Tucker, who ended up signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. ESPN reported on Jan. 15, citing sources, that Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract.
Moreover, the report adds that the deal includes opt-outs after the second and third years. The $60 million average annual value is the second largest for a player in MLB history, trailing only Tucker’s new teammate, Shohei Ohtani ($70M).
After whiffing on Tucker, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal shared his insight on the now-Dodgers outfielder and why he didn’t land in Toronto, which was willing to give him a long-term contract.
“I’m not sure he wanted to go long term,” Rosenthal said during a Jan. 15 appearance on “Foul Territory.” “I’m not sure he wanted to go to Toronto. Toronto is much more of a destination than it has been in recent years. Actually, all the players they missed out on, it was circumstances in each case.
“We have seen this offseason the Blue Jays spend more than every other team, $337 million total with their four free agent signings, including, of course, Dylan Cease right at the top of that.
“So free agents do want to go there. It doesn’t mean every free agent wants to go there. And it doesn’t mean, in Kyle Tucker’s case, that he wanted to sign long-term there. So if his preference was short term with opt-outs, which is what he got, four years with opt-outs after years two and three.”
Blue Jays Lost Out to Short-Term Contracts
Moreover, with the Blue Jays and their long-term offer out of the picture, the decision came down to the New York Mets and Dodgers, and it was a simple one in Rosenthal’s eyes.
“Then it comes down to, of course, the Mets and the Dodgers,“ Rosenthal added. “If you’re a player right now, where would you rather play? Here’s a guy also with a well-established low-key personality.
“He’s going to go to New York? Where the clubhouse was a mess last year, when he can go to LA for perhaps even more money. It never made sense to me that that was going to happen in the Mets’ favor. I am not surprised by the outcome in that sense.”
What’s Next for the Mets and Blue Jays?
As for the Mets, former MLB general manager Jim Duquette reported on Jan. 15, citing an MLB source, that New York’s offer was four years at $220 million.
Moreover, Duquette also reported that the Mets will likely pivot to Cody Bellinger, since he’s still available, after the New York Yankees have been at a stalemate in negotiations for two and a half months. The Mets will try to salvage the offseason by attempting to sign another former Yankees player.
On the other hand, the Blue Jays have had an excellent offseason. However, after whiffing on Tucker, it will be interesting to see if their attention turns to Bichette and if they use whatever money they were willing to give the outfielder to keep their homegrown product and make another run at the World Series with an even better team than last season.
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