Kyle Tucker is still unsigned, but the sweepstakes for the five-time All-Star are heating up - and it looks like we’re down to two serious contenders: the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
After an impressive 2025 campaign with the Chicago Cubs - despite some injury setbacks - Tucker hit the open market for the first time in his career, turning down a $22.05 million qualifying offer. And it's not hard to see why. At just 28 years old, Tucker brings a rare combination of youth, production, and postseason experience that makes him arguably the most valuable free agent available this winter.
Now, with most teams either priced out or simply sitting on the sidelines, it’s shaping up to be a two-horse race. According to MLB insider Blake Harris, the Dodgers and Blue Jays are the only teams still seriously in the mix. But the approaches from each club couldn’t be more different.
The Dodgers, already loaded with star power, are reportedly eyeing Tucker for a shorter-term deal with a high average annual value (AAV). That strategy fits with their recent offseason moves - notably their three-year, $69 million deal with closer Edwin Díaz earlier this week. L.A. has shown a willingness to spend, but they’re not looking to hand out decade-long contracts unless the fit is perfect.
Toronto, on the other hand, appears ready to go all-in. They’re reportedly the only team willing to cross the $300 million threshold for Tucker, and they seem prepared to make him a cornerstone of their future. The Blue Jays have already bolstered their bullpen this offseason, adding Chase Lee and Tyler Rogers, but Tucker would be a franchise-altering move - a power-hitting lefty who could slot right into the heart of their lineup.
But there’s a ripple effect here, and it could have major implications for another key piece of the Blue Jays’ core: Bo Bichette.
According to MLB Network’s J.P. Morosi, Toronto is actively engaged in talks with Tucker, and while Bichette is still in touch with the front office, his future with the Jays could hinge on how this pursuit plays out.
Morosi noted that if Toronto lands Tucker, the odds of Bichette returning drop significantly. That’s a tough pill for fans to swallow, especially after the team locked up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term extension earlier this year.
The Jays have made it clear they’re not content with just contending - they want to win now. After falling short in recent free-agent chases for marquee names like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, Toronto seems determined not to miss again. They’re the reigning American League champions, and they’re acting like it - pushing hard to land the kind of talent that can keep them at the top of the league.
So here’s where we stand: if Tucker wants a long-term deal with big money, Toronto looks like the destination. If he’s willing to bet on himself with a shorter, high-AAV contract and join a perennial powerhouse, the Dodgers are waiting.
Two teams. Two different approaches. One superstar free agent.
This one’s going down to the wire.