The Toronto Blue Jays have had an aggressive offseason coming off one game short of winning the 2025 World Series. As a result, their front office is doing everything possible to ensure the team gets back to the Fall Classic to finish the job.
Moreover, the Blue Jays are linked to two top free-agent hitters in Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette. A move for Bichette would bring back a player who came up through Toronto’s minor league system, reached stardom, and is now testing the free-agent market.
As for Tucker, he would be an outfield piece and a solid No. 2 behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr., bringing World Series experience from his time with the Houston Astros. Nonetheless, while Tucker is tempting, former MLB pitcher Jake Peavy believes that the Blue Jays need to bring back Bichette.
“For me, a shortstop signing Bo Bichette, keeping Bichette in that uniform, makes a whole lot more sense than adding another outfielder when Addison Barger has really solidified himself in right field, and you’re going to do what you’re doing in left,” Peavy said during a Jan. 6 appearance on MLB Network.
“Adding [Kazuma Okamoto] is 40-home-run-potential power. If you’re adding huge depth to your lineup, this is a nice move. I hope it also leaves room for Bo to get in there. I don’t know on the Kyle Tucker front. It just seems unlikely for me.”
Blue Jays Among Teams Aggressively Pursuing Kyle Tucker
Moreover, on Jan. 6, former MLB general manager Jim Duquette reported, citing a league source, that the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Blue Jays are leading the pursuit of Kyle Tucker.
While no deal seems imminent, these three clubs stand well ahead of the other teams reportedly interested. Nonetheless, this information starkly contrasts with what a Mets insider said about the team’s interest in Tucker.
On Jan. 5, The Athletic’s Will Sammon appeared on SNY’s “Baseball Night in New York “ to share whether the Mets are a serious suitor for Tucker.
“I would suspect that [Tucker is] the crown jewel of this free agent class, and he probably has other options that may be better, “ Sammon said. “We’ll see, because [the Mets are] always going to lurk, they’re always going to linger, they’re going to check in on guys, and they have the resources to make things very interesting.”
Mets Seen as Leading Candidate for Kyle Tucker
As for the other team in what looks like a three-horse race, the Blue Jays, one insider believes that while Toronto have had interest in Tucker, the top suitor for the outfielder is the Mets.
“At one point, the Blue Jays looked like the best candidate to give Kyle Tucker a long-term deal, ” Ben Nicholson-Smith said on Jan. 5 during an appearance on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “Now, I would say that’s the Mets because, you look at the Mets roster, they have Tyrone Taylor starting in one outfield spot on their projection.
“They have Carson Benge, I had to check that name, starting in one of their other outfield spots. So, clearly, the Mets need to add an outfielder. Kyle Tucker’s out there; the Mets spend like nobody else.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Blue Jays Get Bold Free Agent Take on Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette appeared first on Heavy Sports.