The New York Mets are reportedly offering highly sought-after free agent Kyle Tucker a “short-term” contract worth $50 million per season, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.
The 28-year-old outfielder has been the top free agent on the board since the World Series ended in early November with the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, among others in addition to the Mets, showing significant interest in the All-Star slugger.
Now it appears the Mets are making a late push to add to their already lofty payroll, featuring superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who signed a 15-year, $765 million with the Mets last winter.
Led by owner Steve Cohen, the Mets had the highest payroll during the 2025 season, spending over $323,000 on a team that fell well short of expectations with a 83-79 record, missing the playoffs.
The Blue Jays, who’ve had a very strong off-season after losing the World Series to the Dodgers in heartbreaking fashion, reportedly remain in the mix for Tucker.
Tucker, a native of Tampa, was seen at the Blue Jays’ spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla., in early December.
Tucker is coming off a All-Star 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs in which he hit .266 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs over 136 games. He also produced a .377 on-base percentage and a .841 OPS alongside 25 stolen bases.
Tucker missed time near the end of the season due to a left calf strain.
The left-handed slugger spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Houston Astros where he was named to three All-Star teams and was a significant contributor in their 2022 World Series championship.
Tucker only appeared in 78 games during his last season with the Astros in 2024 before being traded to the Cubs in the off-season.
In his lone season in Chicago, Tucker helped the Cubs win 92 games, but the team was eliminated in the National League Wild Card by the San Diego Padres.
Tucker also won his second career Silver Slugger Award in 2025.
