Feinsand: Blue Jays Still the Favourites To Sign Kyle Tucker

[Leo Morgenstern]

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Toronto Blue Jays are still seen as the frontrunners to sign top free agent Kyle Tucker, even after signing Kazuma Okamoto.

"Toronto remains the favorite to land Tucker," explains Feinsand, relaying information from sources. However, he adds that "the Mets can't be counted out." As for the Yankees, Feinsand believes Bellinger is their preferred target, presuming they're "prepared to spend big" at all.

Adding fuel to this fire, FanSided's MLB insider Robert Murray also believes the Blue Jays remain a suitor for Tucker: "He is one of the options that they're considering, and they're one of the teams that he's considering as well."

On the flip side, Sportnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith suggests that, while the Jays aren't likely to rule anything out, they no longer look like the very best candidate to give Tucker the long-term deal he's looking for. "Now I would say that's the Mets," he adds.

Having said that, Nicholson-Smith does speculate that Tucker and the Blue Jays could be more likely to strike a deal if he's willing to sign a shorter contract with a high average annual value.

What do Blue Jays fans think about the team going all-in to sign Kyle Tucker? Would you only do it on a shorter-term deal? Or would you rather the Jays forget Tucker and prioritize Bo Bichette? Chime in with your thoughts below.

Featured image courtesy of David Banks, Imagn Images.

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[L54]

I don’t really care whether it’s Tucker or Bo but I think it’s pretty obvious they’re not settling at Okamoto. All these writers are making it sound like it’s crazy they are still in play but you only have to go back like 2 weeks where people were saying they might get BOTH, so 15M to Okamoto won’t hinder another signing

 

[Pendleton]

As for the Yankees, Feinsand believes Bellinger is their preferred target, presuming they're "prepared to spend big" at all

 

[L54]

Cody Bellinger and Amed Rosario 

DA BRONX BOMBERS 

[L54]

Okamoto is an accessory signing 

Still waiting for the big move 

[Terminator]

Old Man Steinbrenner is rolling over in his grave.

The second the Dylan Cease move was announced he would have signed Kyle Tucker before the ink could even dry on the Cease contract. 

The best Junior can do is bring back Rosario and Yarbrough. Pathetic.

[RobinThicc]

These rumours are definitely framed to put pressure on the Mets to up their offer.

I think Tucker probably goes to the Mets

[RobinThicc]

I think Bo will be back

[G-Snarls]

I agree on both counts Robin

[Pendleton]

18 minutes ago, Terminator said:

Old Man Steinbrenner is rolling over in his grave.

The second the Dylan Cease move was announced he would have signed Kyle Tucker before the ink could even dry on the Cease contract. 

The best Junior can do is bring back Rosario and Yarbrough. Pathetic.

The Rays borrowed Steinbrenner Field and left their stink everywhere 

 

[GoBlue41]

I'm still holding out hope for Tucker AND Bo. Don't crush my dreams yet please. Just let it play out and I can be disappointed later. 

[Eat My Shatkins]

Why anyone would sign a deal with the tire fire Mets is beyond me. Especially if the Jays are one of the other top suitors trying to sign you.

[Jays24]

Think he goes to the Mets if he wants a long term deal or the Dodgers for a high AAV short deal.  

Its fine because I want the younger/cheaper Bo anyways.. 

[Stangstag]

1 hour ago, RobinThicc said:

These rumours are definitely framed to put pressure on the Mets to up their offer.

I think Tucker probably goes to the Mets

Yes, feels like we are being used as a bargaining chip again. If any of these guys (Bo, Bregman, Tucker, Bellinger) wanted to play here, they would have signed by now.

I wouldn’t be shocked if the Jays currently have the highest offer tabled for all of those guys.

Maybe they are waiting for the WBC and hoping someone important on a competitor gets injured? 

[glory]

1 hour ago, RobinThicc said:

These rumours are definitely framed to put pressure on the Mets to up their offer.

I think Tucker probably goes to the Mets

Literally every move the Jays have made this winter has come out of no where. The fact that they are so involved with Tucker according to the MLB talking heads makes me think it’s not happening either. 

[abola2121]

52 minutes ago, Stangstag said:

Yes, feels like we are being used as a bargaining chip again. If any of these guys (Bo, Bregman, Tucker, Bellinger) wanted to play here, they would have signed by now.

I wouldn’t be shocked if the Jays currently have the highest offer tabled for all of those guys.

Maybe they are waiting for the WBC and hoping someone important on a competitor gets injured? 

Spoken like someone who just woke up from a 3 month coma.

[max silver]

34 minutes ago, Stangstag said:

Yes, feels like we are being used as a bargaining chip again. If any of these guys (Bo, Bregman, Tucker, Bellinger) wanted to play here, they would have signed by now.

I wouldn’t be shocked if the Jays currently have the highest offer tabled for all of those guys.

Maybe they are waiting for the WBC and hoping someone important on a competitor gets injured? 

You could make the same statement for every team in MLB that if Bo/Bregman/Tucker/Bellinger wanted to play for those teams they would have signed there already. I think it's more a case of none of these guys receiving offers they are happy with at this point and they are all simply holding out for more $$$.

[JaysForever]

1 hour ago, max silver said:

You could make the same statement for every team in MLB that if Bo/Bregman/Tucker/Bellinger wanted to play for those teams they would have signed there already. I think it's more a case of none of these guys receiving offers they are happy with at this point and they are all simply holding out for more $$$.

I am curious what they want and what they are being offered.

It sounds like there is a lot of separation because none of these guys seem close to signing.

[JaysFan99]

Probably an unpopular opinion, but I’d rather sign Bo. I have a feeling Tucker won’t be worth the price he’s asking. 

[rydermike]

So BNS tweeted "Jays not a lock to add a bat", then they proceeded to sign a bat in Okamoto the next day. 

So should I expect Tucker to sign tomorrow now

[G-Snarls]

44 minutes ago, JaysFan99 said:

Probably an unpopular opinion, but I’d rather sign Bo. I have a feeling Tucker won’t be worth the price he’s asking. 

You are definitely not alone 

Bo might cost half as much and is easier to plug into the team as currently constructed 

[Sorrow]

I wouldn’t be shocked if Bichette has offers on the table and has told teams he’ll get back to them after his wedding.

If the team signs Tucker I wonder if we see a trade for Marte including Barger to move Berrios contract.

[Spanky__99]

10 hours ago, JaysFan99 said:

Probably an unpopular opinion, but I’d rather sign Bo. I have a feeling Tucker won’t be worth the price he’s asking. 

Not unpopular, friendo.

[Omar]

16 hours ago, Stangstag said:

Yes, feels like we are being used as a bargaining chip again. If any of these guys (Bo, Bregman, Tucker, Bellinger) wanted to play here, they would have signed by now.

I wouldn’t be shocked if the Jays currently have the highest offer tabled for all of those guys.

Maybe they are waiting for the WBC and hoping someone important on a competitor gets injured? 

In fairness, I think every team that is currently in play is being used as a bargaining chip.  Nothing wrong with that, it's just business.  The Jays likely have the highest AAV offer right now but it seems Tucker (who turns 29 this month) is looking for a term that teams are not comfortable with.  Let's see who blinks first.  Wouldn't surprise me if the team that blinks first is the Mets, it's just their way.  The Jays are not out of it in my mind.  Who else would be able to stroke checks for a contract north of $300M? The list is extremely short right now.

[Terminator]

The fan in me wants Bo back but if we sign Tucker this team is a gauntlet. 

There's a chance the Jays can keep him healthy and he puts it all together for a 6+ WAR season. 

[John_Havok]

4 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

Not unpopular, friendo.

Not at all. I think if you look at the history of all big FA deals, very few players actually provide surplus value in a $-per-WAR sense over the course of the deal. But, everyone knows that.

The "worth" comes from the flags that fly forever, and the hopefully positive view of the organization amongst the players where your teams becomes a desired destination and players seek out the opportunity to play there 

[Spanky__99]

12 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

Not at all. I think if you look at the history of all big FA deals, very few players actually provide surplus value in a $-per-WAR sense over the course of the deal. But, everyone knows that.

The "worth" comes from the flags that fly forever, and the hopefully positive view of the organization amongst the players where your teams becomes a desired destination and players seek out the opportunity to play there 

Right. it's the fWAR they provide prior to the decline, and yes, flags do fly forever! I still remember 92/93 fondly, along since teams of 85 and on-worth, that era was a blessing watching the GOAT form a dynasty. 

[Angrioter]

 

 

[G-Snarls]

 

"in my opinion" is all he says

[Spanky__99]

13 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

 

"in my opinion" is all he says

Exactly, bait.