Report: Blue Jays' Kyle Tucker Chase Hits a Snag; His Market 'A Mystery'

We've assumed for weeks now that the Toronto Blue Jays were the frontrunners for top free agent Kyle Tucker. He visited their spring training complex, and pundits all around baseball labeled the American League champions as the top landing spot for the All-Star outfielder.

However, that Dunedin visit was almost a month ago, and mysteriously, there hasn't been a single word about it since. Everything has gone quiet around Tucker. Not a peep.

Now, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman, writing in the New York Post, the Tucker-to-Toronto thing isn't such a sure bet anymore.

Top free agent Kyle Tucker was linked weeks ago to the Jays, but his free agency mostly remains a mystery.

Tucker visiting Dunedin, as it turns out, isn't such a difficult chore. The three-time All-Star lives in nearby Tampa, just a half-hour drive away, making the visit an easy one.

To be sure, the Jays are still interested, but they have also now been said to have interest in another top free agent, third baseman Alex Bregman. Not to mention their stated priority of trying to bring back their own homegrown star, Bo Bichette. Even Cody Bellinger's name has been linked as a possibility for some interest from Toronto as well. It's not expected that they'd be able to sign two of those pricey free agents.

As for Tucker, that supposed $350-$400 million price tag that was assumed to exist on his contract ask just may be scaring some teams off, including the Jays. After all, they just handed out a $500 million guarantee to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. earlier this year.

It sounds like the Tucker Sweepstakes is kind of wide open at this point. One team that could jump into it, the way things have unfolded this offseason, is the New York Mets, who have cleared a ton of salary off their books by not re-signing Pete Alonso or Edwin Diaz. Plus, they opened a big hole in their outfield with the trade of Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien.

The LA Dodgers have interest, but reportedly only on a shorter-term deal. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are also said to be suitors of Tucker. The Yankees, in particular, if they lose Bellinger.

We have a very intriguing free agent market still ongoing as we get set to turn the calendar to 2026.