Kyle Tucker to Blue Jays? Why MLB Execs Are Reportedly Eyeing Contract in Free Agency

The defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays are "considered the favorite by other executives" to sign outfielder Kyle Tucker in free agency, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"The Blue Jays, coming off their first World Series berth in more than three decades, have no plans to slow down. They are considered the favorite by other executives to land Tucker."

Tucker, who turns 29 years old on Jan. 17, is a four-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and one-time Gold Glove winner. He played his first seven seasons for the Houston Astros before they traded him last year to the Chicago Cubs. Tucker ended the year hitting .266 (.841 OPS) with 22 home runs and 73 RBI.

He's ranked as the top free agent in this class by MLB.com's Mark Feinsand and ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. The latter writer projects Tucker to sign an 11-year, $418 million contract.

Tucker will be highly sought after this offseason, and if the Blue Jays don't get him, the Philadelphia Phillies are an option if slugger Kyle Schwarber leaves town, per Passan.

"If Schwarber leaves Philadelphia, Tucker makes plenty of sense there, particularly as the Phillies pivot to get younger, with 21-year-old Justin Crawford expected to enter spring training as the favorite to win their center field job."

Naturally, some big market teams with hefty payrolls should at least be considered in the running as well, per Passan.

"Though Tucker makes sense for a Los Angeles Dodgers team in need of a productive outfield bat, sources said their interest is more likely to be on a high-dollar, shorter-term deal. Top free agents, particularly those Tucker's age (29 in January), rarely sacrifice years for dollars, making Los Angeles a longer shot. Tucker's desire to win, though, will be a guiding principle, keeping the New York Yankees and Mets -- despite the presence of their MVP-caliber right fielders, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto -- in the mix for the time being."

However, it appears the Cubs won't be in the mix.

"One team not expected to meet Tucker's expected contract price: the Chicago Cubs, who traded third baseman Isaac Paredes and right fielder Cam Smith to Houston to rent Tucker in his final season before free agency and will reap a draft pick around No. 75 if he signs elsewhere."

The Blue Jays being a big favorite is no surprise considering how close they were to winning the World Series last year. They should strike while the team's championship window remains open and add to the roster in hopes of getting back to the Fall Classic, where they pushed the favorite Los Angeles Dodgers to seven games and were two outs away from winning it all.

Tucker would be a huge pick-up for Toronto and strengthen an already deep lineup that caused problems for opposing pitchers all season and especially in the playoffs. He and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could form the core of a potent offense for years should he land in town.

We'll find out soon enough where Tucker lands, but it's clear Toronto is squarely in the running.