Kyle Tucker’s free agency journey came to a close with a bold move: a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers. It’s a contract that’s all about flexibility and value - a sky-high $60 million average annual salary, plus opt-outs after 2027 and 2028. Tucker chose a shorter path with maximum earning power and control, passing on a longer-term commitment that would’ve locked him in for the next decade.
That long-term offer? It reportedly came from the Toronto Blue Jays - ten years, $350 million.
That’s a massive number, and it would’ve tied for the seventh-richest deal in MLB history in terms of total dollars. But Tucker opted for a different kind of bet: on himself, on short-term freedom, and on the Dodgers’ winning window.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are left wondering what could’ve been - again. This marks the fourth time in three offseasons that Toronto has made a serious run at a marquee free agent who ultimately chose the Dodgers.
First it was Shohei Ohtani. Then Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Then Roki Sasaki. Now Tucker.
And to twist the knife a little more, all three of those previous Dodgers signings played pivotal roles in L.A.’s World Series win over Toronto last fall.
Tucker’s decision is especially tough to swallow because the Jays were clearly willing to go big. Their $350 million offer wasn’t just competitive - it would’ve been the largest free-agent deal in franchise history, and second only to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 14-year, $500 million extension overall. That’s not just opening the checkbook - that’s going all in.
But there may have been some hesitation around the league about a decade-long commitment to Tucker. He’s a dynamic talent, no question, but injuries have cost him time over the past two seasons, and his second-half slump with the Cubs last year raised some eyebrows. The Mets were also in the mix, reportedly offering a frontloaded four-year, $220 million deal with opt-outs - but like the Jays, they came up short.
Toronto’s offseason took another hit when Bo Bichette - their longtime shortstop and one of the faces of the franchise - signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets. That contract also includes two opt-outs, giving Bichette the chance to hit the market again while still in his prime. So in the span of a few weeks, the Jays missed out on both Tucker and Bichette - arguably their top two position-player targets of the winter.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom in Toronto. The front office did land Kazuma Okamoto to shore up the infield, and that move may have signaled a shift in priorities.
With Okamoto in place, the Jays appeared more focused on upgrading the outfield than reuniting with Bichette. And let’s not forget: the club traded for Andres Gimenez last winter, a move that looked like a contingency plan for life after Bo.
Had Tucker signed, he would’ve joined Guerrero as a foundational piece of the Jays’ lineup for the next decade. He also would’ve brought some much-needed clarity to an outfield picture that’s suddenly full of question marks.
George Springer and Daulton Varsho are both set to hit free agency next winter, and while Springer spent most of 2025 as a DH, his future role remains fluid. The Jays are also banking on a bounce-back from Anthony Santander, who struggled through an injury-riddled 2025.
Okamoto’s arrival likely pushes breakout star Addison Barger into more outfield reps, particularly in right field, while third base duties may be split. Barger, Nathan Lukes, and Davis Schneider are all in the mix for corner outfield time, and Schneider’s versatility - he can play second base too - gives manager John Schneider some flexibility when building out lineups.
But there’s still a sense that another move could be coming. Cody Bellinger remains on the market, and the Jays have had interest in him before.
He’s reportedly seeking a longer-term deal than the five-year, $155 million offer the Yankees have put on the table. The Mets were also linked to Bellinger, though their recent spending spree on Bichette might change that equation.
Would Toronto go beyond five years for Bellinger? That remains to be seen.
Just because they offered ten years to Tucker doesn’t mean they’ll do the same for another player. But given how aggressive they’ve been this offseason, it wouldn’t be a shock if they made a serious run at the best outfielder still available.
Let’s not lose sight of what the Jays have done. They’ve already handed out the biggest free-agent contract in franchise history - a seven-year, $210 million deal to Dylan Cease.
They’ve also added Okamoto ($60 million over four years), Tyler Rogers (three years, $37 million), and Cody Ponce (three years, $30 million). That’s a serious financial commitment, and it’s pushed their payroll to record heights.
According to RosterResource, Toronto’s luxury tax number is projected at $310.5 million - well above the $304 million threshold for the highest penalty tier. That means the Jays are facing a 90% tax on every dollar over the limit, and Tucker’s $35 million AAV would’ve come with a $31.5 million tax hit in 2026 alone.
So while ownership has clearly greenlit an aggressive push toward contention, there’s a limit to how far they’ll go. It’s possible that Tucker and Bichette were viewed as special cases - players worth stretching the budget for. Whether Bellinger or any other remaining free agent fits that same mold is a different question.
If the Jays decide not to make another splash, they could pivot to lower-cost options or explore the trade market to fill any remaining roster gaps. But one thing’s for sure: this front office isn’t sitting still.
They’ve already made big moves. They just came up short on the biggest ones.