Kyle Tucker Rumors Reveal Mets' Contract Offer, Timeline for Decision in MLB Free Agency
The New York Mets are reportedly making a real push for Kyle Tucker, whose free agency could come to an end very soon.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Mets have made Tucker a short-term offer worth $50 million per season. That would put Tucker just behind Mets star Juan Soto (15 years and $765 million), who earns an average of $51 million per season.
New York expects Tucker's decision won't come until at least Thursday, per Mike Puma of the New York Post:
Earlier on Tuesday, The Athletic's Will Sammon reported the Mets have shown "effort and interest" in their pursuit of Tucker by having "multiple video meetings" with the four-time All-Star in the past week.
Sammon notes the belief is New York's "range" for Tucker is a three-year deal worth between $120 to $140 million, but the club could increase its offer even though that hasn't been the front office's modus operandi this offseason.
That type of salary for Tucker would be in line with the highest average annual salaries for outfielders, currently led by Mets superstar Juan Soto at $51 million. Aaron Judge is second at $40 million.
The frontrunners for Tucker at this point appear to be the Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. He has reportedly met with all three teams, either in person or via Zoom.
It's unclear what the offers from Toronto or Los Angeles are at this point, but a short-term deal might not hold much appeal for Tucker.
Even though Sammon noted Tuckers' preferences in either dollars or years is unknown, MLB.com's Sonja Chen wrote on Tuesday that he is "believed" to be seeking a longer-term contract.
That could hinder the Dodgers' chances because they currently have four players signed to contracts of at least 10 years and six players signed through at least the 2030 season.
The Mets could certainly use a big splash in what has been an otherwise uninspiring offseason after missing the playoffs last season. They lost Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz early in free agency. They still haven't added to their starting rotation.
Other than Soto, the Mets' projected starting outfielders are Carson Benge and Tyrone Taylor. Benge, 22, was the team's first-round pick in 2024 and had a .583 OPS in 24 games at Triple-A last season after starting the year in High-A.
Taylor is entering his eighth season and is coming off the worst offensive performance of his career in 2025 with a .223/.279/.319 slash line.
Tucker spent last season with the Chicago Cubs after being acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros. He hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 homers and 25 stolen bases in 136 games.
Since the start of the 2021 season, Tucker ranks 10th among all position players in fWAR. He has made the All-Star team in each of the past four years.
