The Toronto Blue Jays have been looking to add an impact hitter to their lineup.
Toronto has focused on adding pitching and shoring up the rotation and the back-end of the bullpen. Yet, the Blue Jays have also been linked to bringing back Bo Bichette, while also signing Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman.
Toronto hosted Tucker on a visit earlier in the offseason. The Blue Jays have been considered the frontrunners for the star hitter. MLB analyst Brayden Haena of ClutchPoints predicted the Blue Jays will sign Tucker to a two-year, $86 million deal.
“The prediction here is simple: Kyle Tucker signs with the Toronto Blue Jays on a two-year, $86 million contract with a player option after the first year,” Haena wrote. “It’s a deal that maximizes his short-term earnings, keeps his long-term options open, and gives Toronto the left-handed superstar they’ve been searching for.
“For the Blue Jays, it’s the kind of move that could take them from contenders to champions. For Tucker, it’s the perfect opportunity to reset, dominate, and cash in again in 2027.”
Entering the offseason, there was some thought Tucker could land a massive deal worth over $400 million. But, with his market being slow-moving, perhaps Tucker does take a short-term deal to re-enter free agency in a year or two.
Tucker Could Look at a Short-Term Deal
When the calendar turned to 2026, it was a surprise that Tucker had yet to sign with a team.
But Tucker is taking his time with his free agency, but his deal could be much different than what he expected. MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported on Thursday that Tucker’s camp is open to the idea of a short-term deal now.
“The undisputed No. 1 free agent hasn’t stirred many rumors since he was spotted touring the Jays’ beautiful spring home at Dunedin. Toronto, which signed the biggest deal so far (Dylan Cease, $210M) and leads in spending this winter, should be attractive due to their excellent team and spring location near Tucker’s Tampa home,” Heyman wrote in a New York Post article on Thursday.
“While he may not reach the early $400M predictions after his typically statistically excellent but ultimately unsatisfying platform season with the Cubs. The all-around star should still be worth $300M-plus based on past deals and comps. But if he doesn’t mind resetting, the Dodgers could become an option for a short-term and high AAV.”
If Tucker does indeed take a short-term deal, it will bring several more teams into his bidding.
Blue Jays Searching for a Bat
Toronto has been active this offseason, but so far, the focus has been on pitching.
Yet, during the Winter Meetings, Blue Jays manager John Schneider made it clear that adding a bat was key.
“Probably a bat of some sort,” Schneider said at the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9. “We are coming off a really, really good offensive year in a lot of different ways. We did it and scored runs. There was a time we did it without Tony (Anthony Santander). A time we did it without Bo for a little bit.
“You feel good about your offense, but adding would be nice, and I think that is a priority.”
Toronto has been linked to the likes of Bichette, Tucker, and Bregman.
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