New York Mets Ramp Up Their Efforts on Kyle Tucker With Meeting

The Toronto Blue Jays' lead in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes might be dwindling. We have a report on Monday that the New York Mets met with Tucker (over Zoom), to discuss a potential marriage.

The Mets' video get-together with the top free agent is some rare positive news for the team's fanbase this offseason, as they've watched two of their most important players, Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz, leave in free agency, while longtime beloved outfielder Brandon Nimmo was traded.

Former MLB GM Jim Duquette feels, for the Mets, the Tucker meeting is a good sign:

On Baseball Night in New York, @JimDuquetteGM discusses the Mets pursuit of Kyle Tucker including how they've shown their intent with their meeting with him, as well as what it would take for the Mets to have a shot of landing him pic.twitter.com/0YpfXe7wqF
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) January 13, 2026

"When you're meeting with a star player like this, you need to meet with them face to face, to let them know what direction the team is going... what do you have in mind for the future?" said Duquette. "In terms of intent, it shows your intent, obviously, and it creates an expectation level with your fanbase... In a winter that hasn't been positive so far from the Mets side, I think this is a real good step in the right direction."

The real problem for the Mets, and the Dodgers as well, for that matter, is that the Blue Jays are the only team offering Tucker a long-term deal. The Mets were thought to only have a three- or four-year offer on the table.

"Do you push it forward to five years?," asks Duquette. "He's a rare five-tool guy... And (if) you don't have to pay for eight or nine years, let's say it's five or six years... I'm comfortable with it (for the Mets)."

Not only is there a void in the batting order with Alonso gone, there's also a vacancy in the outfield now that Nimmo is in Texas. Tucker would certainly be a great fit in Queens, both in the field and in the lineup.

The biggest question about this would be from an off-the-field perspective. While Alonso was a bigger-than-life personality that fit New York like a glove, Tucker is a more unassuming, quiet kind of guy... Will the bright lights of the Big Apple be too bright for him?