MLB free agency remains in a holding pattern despite the start of Spring Training being just over one month away, as the likes of Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker are among the top position players still without a new contract.
Tucker is a free agent for the first time in his career, while Bellinger and Bregman opted out of respective contracts to hit the open market once again. Interest in Bellinger and Tucker has overlapped, with the Los Angeles Dodgers among the teams connected to both outfielders.
According to Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio, the Dodgers, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays have separated themselves in pursuit of signing Tucker:
A League source has told me that the Mets, the Dodgers, and the Blue Jays are the most aggressive suitors for Kyle Tucker. Nothing appears to be imminent, but there is some distance between the other team reportedly interested and the main three,
— Jim Duquette (@JimDuquetteGM) January 7, 2026
Although Tucker’s market has moved slower than expected, he reportedly visited the Blue Jays’ Spring Training facility last month. That was considered particularly noteworthy given he’s a Tampa native.
Toronto already has been plenty aggressive in free agency so far this offseason, beginning with their signing of Dylan Cease and continuing with the recent addition of Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto. As a result, it’s believed the Blue Jays effectively face a scenario of needing to decide between Tucker and Bo Bichette.
Meanwhile, the Mets have a need in the outfield after trading Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, but might prefer Bellinger. Though, Tucker may be better suited to help fill the void in their lineup that was created when Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
Can the Dodgers sign Kyle Tucker?
There have been conflicting reports regarding the Dodgers’ interest in Tucker throughout this past season and into the winter. Despite seemingly holding some level of interest, it’s believed the Dodgers would prefer to sign Tucker to a short-term contract.
That didn’t appear to be a likely outcome for Tucker heading into free agency, but that could have change in light of the lack of movement.
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