MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Kyle Tucker.
Dec. 13: Will Blue Jays make another big splash by signing Tucker?
The industry consensus on Tucker’s market hasn’t changed much throughout this offseason, with the Blue Jays continuing to be widely viewed as the frontrunners.
The latest link between Tucker and the Blue Jays comes from ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez:
“If there's one team willing and able to give outfielder Kyle Tucker the $400 million he seeks in free agency, it's the Toronto Blue Jays, according to many of the agents, executives and managers at baseball's annual winter meetings this week,” Gonzalez writes.
Toronto has been active in the pitching market so far, adding Dylan Cease (seven years, $210 million), Cody Ponce (three years, $30 million) and Tyler Rogers (three years, $37 million), but it has yet to address the lineup vacancy left by free-agent shortstop Bo Bichette.
The Blue Jays haven’t closed the door on a reunion with Bichette, with MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reporting Friday that the two sides are keeping the line of communication open.
However, with the ability to slot in Andrés Giménez at shortstop, Ernie Clement at second and Addison Barger at third, bringing back Bichette is not as imperative as you might think, and Tucker arguably fills a greater need as a left-handed hitter.
Dec. 10: Mets, Yankees among clubs in on Tucker (report)
Tucker is attracting "most all" big-market teams in free agency, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The Dodgers like the star outfielder, but only on a shorter-term deal, per The Athletic (subscription required). And the Blue Jays had an in-person meeting with Tucker last week.
Those teams, as well as the Orioles, have been joined in the hunt for this year's top free agent by the Mets and Yankees, per Heyman.
Both New York teams have a hole to fill in their outfield and have also been linked to Cody Bellinger, the next-best outfielder remaining on the open market. The Mets may also be eyeing Tucker in an effort to make a headline-stealing splash after they saw closer Edwin Díaz join the Dodgers on a three-year deal on Tuesday, per a source.
Dec. 9: Dodgers could pursue Tucker on short-term deal (report)
Even after agreeing on a deal to add closer Edwin Díaz to their star-studded roster, the Dodgers might not be done chasing top-flight free agents. According to Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic (subscription required), Los Angeles could still pursue Tucker.
Rosenthal and Woo reported that the Dodgers likely wouldn't offer Tucker a long-term deal for six or seven years, with a three- or four-year contract more of a possibility. Regardless, Los Angeles -- coming off back-to-back World Series titles -- doesn't seem to be content after signing Díaz to a three-year deal worth a reported $69 million.
Inking Tucker is far from a certainty (MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote that he would be “surprised” if Tucker signed with Los Angeles) but adding a top free-agent bat still appears to be a priority for the Dodgers. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported on Tuesday morning -- before news of the Díaz deal broke -- that Los Angeles is among the clubs interested in shortstop Bo Bichette. Bichette would be a big move for L.A., but Tucker would make an even bigger splash.
Dec. 3: Tucker remains in play for aggressive Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have been active this offseason, addressing their rotation with the additions of Dylan Cease (seven years, $210 million) and Cody Ponce (three years, $30 million), but those moves may be just the start for the defending AL champs.
According to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson, Toronto's spending in the pitching market hasn't taken it out of the mix for Tucker. In fact, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that Tucker was at the Blue Jays' complex in Florida on Dec. 3. That visit was initially reported by Robert Murray of FanSided.
The Blue Jays are also still considering Bo Bichette, their longtime shortstop.