MLB Insider Calls Blue Jays ‘Favorite’ To Land Superstar Free Agent
Baseball minds have agreed that the most valuable free-agent bat on the market this offseason is Kyle Tucker. The four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger (including 2025) brings elite offense and Gold Glove-level defense to the table, and at 28 years old, he’s younger than the other two monster sluggers available, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso.
Fans and pundits are in plenty of disagreement over whether Tucker is truly a “game-changer”, and it sounds like no one really knows how much money’s he’s going to bag this winter. Even so, Tucker is undeniably an elite talent who would significantly improve any team he joins. That’s what makes his eventual destination a point of interest, particularly in the American League East, as both the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees have been linked to Tucker recently.
On Monday, The Athletic‘s Jim Bowden become latest MLB insider talking Tucker. During a new episode of Foul Territory, Bowden suggested that the Blue Jays are the favorite to sign Tucker.
“I found this kind of fascinating talking to so many different front office executives about (Tucker’s) value,” Bowden said. “I had some guys say between $400 and $500 (million). I had some guys say between $300 and $350 (million).”
“I think it’s going to be very interesting, but in terms of teams where he fits, I mean, he fits with the Blue Jays,” Bowden continued. “Put him in right field, you know, he fits exactly what they like: 30 homers, 30 steals, plus defense, plus runner, plus arm. Doesn’t have to be the face of the franchise. That’s Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.”
“I think it’s a really good fit, and I hear that they’re really interested in him.”
“I think he fits with the Yankees. … The Dodgers, they got $80 million coming off the books. … At the end of the day, Blue Jays, Yankees, Dodgers are the best fits, and I think if you had to pick a favorite right now, it’s probably Toronto.”
Tucker hit .266 (.841 OPS) with the Chicago Cubs in 2025, although he was battling injuries for a lot of the season. He ended up with 22 homers, 73 RBI and 91 runs scored in 136 games for Chicago, and it’s considered a foregone conclusion that he won’t be a Cub in 2026.