The Mets‘ pursuit of star free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker could be nearing a conclusion.
Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Mets are offering Tucker a deal “in the range” of $120 million to $140 million for three years and have had multiple video meetings with him over the last week.
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Meanwhile, Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Mets’ offer to Tucker is $150 million for three years.
A contract to Tucker worth $150 million over three years would give him an average annual value of $50 million, right under Juan Soto‘s AAV of $51 million.
As far as when Tucker could decide on a team, Sammon reports that “multiple industry sources suggested” that could happen as early as this week.
In addition to the Mets, the Blue Jays and Dodgers have been heavily connected to Tucker, with Jon Heyman of The New York Post reporting on Monday that the Yankees were “on the periphery.”
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The Blue Jays are known to include heavy deferrals in their long-term deals, as they recently did with Dylan Cease.
Sammon did not note whether the Mets’ offer to Tucker includes deferrals.
As far as the Dodgers, they have seemingly unlimited spending power.
If the Mets are able to land Tucker, it stands to reason that he will be asked to shift to left field while Soto remains in right field.
Tucker has played only right field and designated hitter over the last five seasons, but got extensive time in left field for the Astros in 2020 — starting 40 games there and being a positive defender.
Tucker’s addition to the Mets’ lineup would be enormous.
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After subtracting Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo while adding Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien, New York has a glaring need for another significant bat to bolster a group led by Soto and Francisco Lindor.
Tucker, like Soto, is an elite hitter who mixes power with a tremendous eye and a discerning approach at the plate.
During his eight-year career, Tucker has slashed .273/.358/.507 with an .865 OPS. He has never struck out more than 95 times in a season.
