On the heels of Kyle Tucker agreeing to a deal with the Dodgers, we asked MLB Insider Mark Feinsand to break down what it means for the teams that missed out on Tucker and the rest of the free-agent market.
With Kyle Tucker going to the Dodgers, we’re down to two marquee hitters still looking for teams: Bo Bichette and Cody Bellinger. Now that the Blue Jays have to pivot, does this open the door to Bichette returning to Toronto?
Losing out on Tucker certainly increases the chances of a reunion with Bichette, but by no means does it make it a sure thing. According to sources, Bichette has privately expressed concern about the physical impact of playing half of his games on the artificial turf at Rogers Centre, which could play into his ultimate decision. That said, Bichette is very close with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and likes the idea of the pair playing their entire careers as lifelong Blue Jays. But the Phillies are lurking as serious contenders for Bichette, who held a Zoom meeting with them last week.
And although the Blue Jays were looking to add Tucker’s bat to their lineup, the recent signing of Kazuma Okamoto puts Toronto in a position to proceed without signing Bichette or another infielder. If Bichette leaves, the Jays would move Andrés Giménez to shortstop, play Okamoto and Addison Barger at third base, while Ernie Clement would make most of the starts at second base.
The Blue Jays have always had interest in re-signing Bichette and remain involved on that front. Does losing out on Tucker elevate their interest in Bichette and create a little more sense of urgency?
As previously mentioned, the Blue Jays have positioned themselves to move forward without Bichette, so the urgency to re-sign him isn’t likely to change much. If anything, their interest in Tucker stemmed more from the uncertainty of their outfield beyond the 2026 season.
Daulton Varsho is set to become a free agent at the end of the upcoming season, as is George Springer, whose best days as an everyday outfielder are behind him. The Blue Jays have struggled to develop an outfielder for years, acquiring Varsho in a trade while signing Springer and Anthony Santander (who had a subpar season in his first year with Toronto) as free agents in recent years. Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw are under control beyond this season, but Toronto would love to add an impact bat to that mix moving forward.
We keep talking about Bellinger going to the Yankees, but the competition for him might have just gotten deeper now that the Mets and Blue Jays lost out on Tucker. Between the three teams, who is the best fit for Bellinger?
The Yankees are far and away the best fit for Bellinger, who showed last season that he can handle the pressure-cooker of the Bronx both on and off the field. He posted excellent numbers at Yankee Stadium, a ballpark tailor-made for his swing, while providing protection for Aaron Judge in the lineup. The Yankees would like to re-sign Bellinger to a five-year deal, while Bellinger is seeking a longer-term deal of at least seven years, though it remains to be seen whether either side budges and they can find common ground.
The Jays wanted Tucker, but it seems like the Mets needed him more. How imperative is it that the Mets acquire another hitter?
The Mets needed Tucker far more than the Dodgers did, though Los Angeles ultimately outbid New York for his services. Having lost Pete Alonso to free agency and traded both Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil this winter, the Mets remain in desperate need of another impact bat in the lineup as well as help in the outfield. Tucker would have filled both of those needs, but with him headed out west, Bellinger would seem to be the ideal fit for the Mets at this point.
Whether president of baseball operations David Stearns is willing to give Bellinger the long-term deal he’s seeking is the biggest question, as Stearns could pivot to other options. The Mets could look to the trade market — perhaps a roll of the dice on a change-of-scenery candidate such as Luis Robert Jr.? — or try to add power with a free agent such as Eugenio Suárez, though that would not fix the outfield situation. The Mets are also still in need of a starting pitcher to put at or near the front of their rotation, leaving Stearns with a healthy checklist of things to do before the season.
