Passan wrote on Tuesday that Tucker would be the perfect left-handed complement to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The idea of free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker landing with the Toronto Blue Jays this winter is seeming to pick up traction.
Over the weekend, Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote that Toronto might be the favorite for Tucker. On Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN labeled signing Tucker as the best offseason move that the Jays could make.
After trying in free agency for Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Yoshinobu Yamamoto with no luck in recent years, this is precisely the time for the Blue Jays to make the biggest move of the winter by giving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. his left-handed complement.
About Tucker
Set to turn 29 years old before the start of next season, Tucker has been one of the best offensive players in the league for years now. Though he battled injury in 2025, he still hit .266 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases for the Chicago Cubs in 136 games. He helped the Cubs to a second-place finish in the National League Central and an appearance in the playoffs.
A lifetime .273 hitter with 147 homers, he's also an excellent defender. A four-time All-Star, he's won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger as well. He helped the Astros win the 2022 World Series.
Why this move would make sense
For starters, Tucker is really good, and having really good players helps you win the World Series, which the Jays fell just short of in 2025. But to Passan's point, the Jays are extremely right-handed, especially in the middle of the order.
Guerrero, Alejandro Kirk, George Springer and Bo Bichette are all right-handed hitters, and if Bichette comes back, the Jays will have the same issue in 2026. Tucker helps alleviate that, and he could pair with Addison Barger and Daulton Varsho to give the lineup some more balance.
Is he a better move than Bichette?
It's very hard to say. From a lineup perspective? He might be, because of that balance. But from an internal standpoint? It would be really hard to let a homegrown player go in favor of an outsider. Bichette was drafted and developed by the Blue Jays, which is what you covet on the player development front.
How about Tucker's money?
It's expected to be big, with some projections showing $350 million. Other projections have the deal going well over $400 million and nearing $500 million. We likely won't get any movement until the winter meetings.
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