Each offseason at MLBTR, we take a look at the potential markets for some of the top names in free agency. In 2025-26, there's no better place to start than with the man who held the top spot on our Free Agent Power Rankings all season and again took home the top spot on our annual Top 50 Free Agent rankings: outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Selected by the Astros with the No. 5 overall pick back in 2015, Tucker has been an impact hitter dating back to the 2019 season. He's slashed a combined .276/.361/.514 in that time (141 wRC+) and hasn't had any individual season that's seen him check in "worse" than 21% better than the average hitter. That came in 2019, his first partial season. Since 2021, Tucker has consistently shown enough pop to hit 30-plus homers. He's reached 25 steals three times along the way and continually upped his walk rate while also cutting his strikeout rate -- so much so that Tucker has walked more often than he's fanned over the past two seasons (15.3% to 15.2%).
Some weird, if not downright fluky injuries have hampered his reputation a bit. Tucker was playing at a full-fledged MVP level in 2024 before fouling a ball into his shin in mid-June. The Astros initially called it a contusion and then a bone bruise. Tucker's stay on the IL lingered for months, much to the chagrin of Houston fans who were perplexed by how the stated injury could take so long to mend. Finally, in September, the Astros revealed that Tucker had actually been diagnosed with a fracture somewhere along the way. It was the sort of vague, puzzling and frustrating injury absence that has become a recurring theme within the Astros organization.
A similar sequence played out in 2025, following Tucker's trade to the Cubs. He was a behemoth in the season's first three months, hitting .291/.396/.537 (157 wRC+) with 17 homers in his first 366 trips to the plate. Tucker fell into a deep slump, and after a couple months it was reported that he'd actually suffered a small fracture in his hand back in June. He played through it. Whether that injury was directly responsible or not, Tucker still "struggled" (by his standards) through July and August, batting a combined .232/.363/.345 (109 wRC+). He suffered a calf strain in early September and only made it back for the season's final three games. Tucker homered in the playoffs and generally hit well through 32 plate appearances.
It's not the sort of massive platform year a top free agent would want, but Tucker has been 43% better than average, by measure of wRC+, dating back to 2021. He's historically been an above-average right fielder. Tucker has made four All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger Awards and also has a Gold Glove to his credit. When he's healthy, there's nothing he doesn't do well. He'll also hit the market ahead of his age-29 season.
A deal easily topping $400MM might've been the expectation had Tucker stayed healthy and maintained the production he posted through late June. The question now is more about whether he can reach the $400MM mark or whether he'll .... "only" ... come in with a deal in the mid-300s.
We know some of the teams that are going to be pursuing Tucker, but let's run through his likeliest landing spots, based on roster composition and payroll outlook, and see if there are any viable dark horse candidates to bring him aboard.
Known/Likely Suitors (listed alphabetically)
Blue Jays: The Blue Jays will probably prioritize retaining Bo Bichette first and foremost, not wanting to let a popular homegrown star escape when they have ample long-term payroll space. Executives, agents and pundits alike all expect an active winter from Toronto after the Jays came just two outs from winning their first World Series in more than three decades, however.
It sounds crazy, but the Jays probably have the payroll space to add both players long-term. Obviously, that's not a likely scenario, but it wouldn't be all that dissimilar from the Rangers' half-billion dollar spending spree four years ago, when Texas signed Corey Seager ($325MM), Marcus Semien ($175MM) and Jon Gray ($56MM) all in the same offseason.
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Dodgers, Mets or Jays. I dont think any other team has a shot at signing him.
“Dodger, Mets”..I’m not saying it’s a shoo in, but the New York Yankees have a “shot” to sign anyone on the planet that walks upright.
The Yankees have Judge, Dominguez, Grisham and Jones coming. They could sign him but they dont need him.
King of Cards Hal Steinbrenner just did an interview with NJ.Com and said they still need an outfielder. Obviously he didn’t mention any FA by name but definitely said they need one.
Bellinger
The question for the Yankees is what long-term commitment they want to carry. Sign Bellinger and they can get an outfielder who is familiar with the Bronx for a shorter term, or go with a far longer contract with more money? Tucker is the better player, though has faced some injury issues, but Bellinger can play more positions and is streaky.
I wish there was another option, but I don’t think one exists.
King: They definitely have room. Jones probably not ready yet or ever. Dominguez has only proven he’s a terrible fielder and league average bat. Judge is going to need DH days and Stanton’s deal is almost up.
Will they pay him is the question.
Rather Belanger, more versatile and better D. But would not say no to Tucker. But Yanks also have other needs
Belanger is better than Volpe, even now.
Even though Mark passed from cancer a few years back?
@King – Gris is just for a year. I doubt they’ll change strategy because of one year and a contract they could move later down the road if needed.
I’m thinking Jones is trade bait.
Well hopefully we re-sign Belli, Imai and, Diaz.
The Jays have Andrés Giménez signed through 2029 at 2B (probably Bichette’s best position), and their two best prospects other than pitchers are middle infielders. Doesn’t seem to make much sense to lock up Bichette long term, when Clement can hold down the fort until the youngsters develop. I guess they could play Bichette in middle infield for one season and then let Springer go and have Bichette DH. But that’s a lot to pay for a long term DH..
Maybe, but a trade with the rangers for a SS seems more likely. Yeah, that guy
“Belanger” can play with Arson Judge. But Cody “Bellinger” could play with Aaron Judge or with real players on 29 other teams.
@cajundago19 What SS? They just traded Semien to the Mets, so I doubt the Rangers will trade Seager if they are planning to contend. I wouldn’t mind Seagers power at SS to replace Bo tbh
He’s “proven” he’s a terrible fielder? He’s 22 years old and you guys called him the next Bo Jackson. Relax. He’ll be fine. He’s got great speed and a big arm. He’ll improve the jumps he gets off the bat.
🙏R.I.P.🙏
Wouldn’t be enough. They need a much larger overhaul. They aren’t a top five WS team with the current gaps.
Arson Judge is on the Giants; silly.
HiAnd: I have grave doubts he’s only 22. Look at his pics from the DR when he signed… loaded up on D ball and looking 20.
Laying all that aside for a guy who’s supposed to handle Cf he gets terrible reads and has some issues with the actual catch. Going to Lf isn’t supposed to be like learning Mandarin for a guy with years of Cf experience. I’m not burying him yet but so far his D is bad and his bat is okay. I’m not cutting him; just not penciling him in as a 500+ Ab player who generates 3+ WAR.
Jersey I agree about the Martian true age it’s a known fact that birth records have been played with in the Dominican…..imo there are many many others that are not the age we were told they are. Let’s face if we were in the same position as these poor kids are we would do anything and everything under the sun to get a contract playing a sport we all love and a chance of a better life not only for the player but for the players whole family.
Chicago: Agree fully. I’d have taken anything or said anything to get signed by a MLB team for anything over 6 figures.
As a huge Yankee fan I wish Dominguez all the success in the world. Hopefully he solves lefties because he has a nice eye and some thunder in his bat.
You havent been paying attention to New York Yankees’ offseasons the last decade if you think they have a shot. They will underbid, like always, and claim they got Yankees taxed what can you do, then sign a cheaper option because theyre too close to 300MM somehow. Outside of guys like Judge, who the Yanks CANT let go, and Cole, who Cash publicly stated was his “Moby Dick”, they have routinely done this play. They underbid just enough to where it looks like they really offered something but know the guy is going to take the better deal elsewhere.
Kevin Alcantara really has no future anymore with the Cubs. For the same reason the Cubs don’t need Tucker anymore. Ethan Conrad and Kane Kepley have passed him by already and nobody knows what Hartshorn is going to be yet. PCA is set in stone so with Caissie, Those 3 guys and even Kade Snell who I like way less than Kepley, Alcantara is not needed anymore. In fact I was a tad surprised he made the 40 man. They had a ton of Spaces open so maybe they think they can get something for him but not protecting Schlaffer was the bigger surprise.
ok?
I like the no-tuck fit
Brew- So does everyone in Chicago. 2 trades the Cubs could take back if they could are Tucker for Cam Smith and Parades and Wesneski and Rosario for Eli Morgan. Screams for a do-over.
The Mets just cleared room for him in their OF.
Mets need to focus on getting Alonso back.
Stearns said that they were. Most of all they need to focus on getting better defensively and getting a few better starting pitchers. Tucker would provide as much production as Alonso, so if they didn’t get Alonso back, but did get Tucker they would be fine. The Mets are also expected to be in the running for Murakami who would play 1B, not 3B. Tucker and Murakami are younger than Alonso and Nimmo. That may be the direction they are headed.
@toycannon They really don’t. Alonso did his Dave Kingman impression from May 6 to the end of the season, putting up a line of .253/311/485 in his last 549 PA. That was worth 1.3 bWAR in 80% of his season.
His whole year, the illusion of improvement over 2024 was thanks to the wild fluke of a .371 BABIP the first five weeks that he’ll never see again.
Stearns did an abysmal job in 2025, but at least he had the good sense to resist Cohen and insist on signing Alonso to the short 1 + 1 contract. The idea of now giving Alonso anything like 4/$120m because he had an incredibly lucky April is ridiculous. Who gives a DH pretending his can still play the field $30m a year? How is Alonso in the overall better than Josh Naylor, who the M’s only signed until he was 33, and for a $18.5m AAV? What is it about Alonso’s game that even hints you’d want him past 33, even at a 20m AAV?
There’s a reason fangraphs projects Pete for a 2.4 fWAR in 2026 with MLB-worst defense at 1B—for which you’re paying around $30m. In short it’s his weak 2024 season all over again, after which for 2027-2029 you’ve got a slow DH who still thinks he belongs on the field, who doesn’t get on base, and doesn’t slug .500 at something like $30m a year.
For $800k the Mets could get a win and a half from Drew Gilbert and spend the other $29.2m on a #1-2 starter:
Gilbert + #1/2 SP >>>>>>>>>>>>> Pete.
@Skip’s Fungo The Mets have to be cautious about piling up high end players entering their decline phases. If they signed all of Alonso, Diaz, and Tucker, for example, they’re going to be approaching heat death in a few years.
Even just adding Tucker and Alonso could make three years from now ugly as they struggle to contend with about $150m going to four players who won’t be at their peaks, and in Lindor and Alonso’s case may not be worth putting on the field at 34 and 33.
It’s for good reason it’s rare to see productive regulars over 32 on the field.
On the Astros, the oldest productive regular (just 2 bWAR or more) is 29.
The Cubs had no one over 32 with 2 bWAR or more.
The Padres had no one.
On the Mets McNeil at 33 barely cleared the bar (2.0)
On the Jays you had Springer, 35, on a rebound year.
The M’s had no one.
On the Yankees it was Judge at 33, then the oldest was Bellinger, 29.
The Phillies had Realmuto, at 34,
The Dodgers? Freeman and Muncy at 35 and 34.
The Guardians had no one.
The Red Sox had no one.
The oldest productive regular on the M’s was 31.
The Brewers had Yelich at 33, then no one over 27.
—On the 12 postseason teams, that makes just 6 position players over the age of 32 who put up 2.0 bWAR or more in 2025.
I like the Jays and Giants for Tucker. They’ve struck out trying to sign the likes of Judge, Ohtani and Soto.
Cruelly they might have to still outbid those same 3 teams.
I completely forgot about the day we all thought judge was going to the giants
And the Correa debacle. Dodged a bullet on that one.
The Giants got Arson Judge.
Phillies, Baltimore, New York Mets
lol Baltimore.
Orioles don’t have 360 to spend but if they do, they should throw it all at pitching
The talk is the Orioles are ready to spend, and Elias isn’t going to stand in the way this time. I’m sure they would have to overpay to land him.
I hope they spend, but they just got ward and moved their biggest upside pitcher, they need arms in a big way
The Orioles did spend and tried to spend more but Burnes decided he wanted to play closer to home so he could be with his family most of the year. The Orioles were one of the few teams that increased spending last year. GM’s don’t dictate spending levels, owners do.
The reporting I heard is that Rubenstein offered to spend more money last offseason but Elias has a strong dislike for signing pitchers to long term contracts. I never heard that the Burnes offer was an official offer. Burnes was hellbent on playing for Arizona anyway. He basically fell into their lap.
The O’s made Burnes an offer that was more AAV but or only 4 years. 4/180 mlb.com/news/corbin-burnes-discusses-orioles-tenur…
Well, they lost Burnes but didn’t go after any high end arms to replace him when he bolted. Although tbf, Burnes didn’t look as good as years past even before the injury.
How u figure?
Phillies need to resign Schwarber, and some starting pitchers… Then there’s the question of 3B for the Phillies …
Baltimore has plenty of bats and offense – but they need a complete overhaul on the mound and in the BP…
The Mets need to spend $20M + per year to keep Diaz, then $35M + to resign Alonso , then they need pitching (starters)…
The Dodgers might want Tucker, but only if they can get him for 4-or-5 years, tops, and if he’ll allow then to defer his salary for 10+ years…
The Giants, Jays and Cardinals have to be the top potential teams that could afford Tucker…
There is no way Alonso is going to get paid $35M per year on his next contract. He’s a well below average first baseman and he still strikes out a lot. His AAV should be below $30M, unless he signs another short term contract.
Would love to see the Cardinals spend on Tucker but all signals coming from that franchise has them stepping back, cutting costs, and working on player development. The Jays want Bo back and not sure if they are going to spend on three huge contracts because they also need a starter or two and a closer. Giants I suppose are feasible, but with the large Devers contract and the need to sign a starting pitcher, not sure how many big contracts they will be giving out (plus Adames and Chapman last offseason.) I like your picks though. Not the same old, same old.
Isn’t Bohm the Phillies 3B or was he non-tendered?
Bohm is still on the roster but highly anticipated that he will be traded.
@Florida Derferrals are funded annually when each season with a deferral comes up. You say it as though LAD are just running up a credit card which is absolutely not the case
Why would Tucker sign “for 4-5 years, tops, and” then defer his salary?
He’s going to get 350M as a bare minimum. Probably closer to 400.
People forget how good he is, but take away the speed, defense and arm and he’s still got a very smooth LHed swing that strikes out and walks roughly the same.
The #1 player on the market with his history is not signing for 4-5 years(tops).
I wonder what it would take for the Dodgers to pry Harper away from Philly? Seems as if there would be a fit on both sides.
Lol.
What’s funny Von Purple?
He’s laughing at the ridiculous idea of Harper being moved to the dodgers, as we all are
What makes it a ridiculous idea? Trades do happen in baseball..
Harper has full no trade rights and hasn’t played outfield for a full season in 4 years, dodgers have freeman at 1B and Ohtani at DH.
Is there anything that doesn’t make this ridiculous?
Harper has said that he would be willing to go back to the outfield, and if there were a team that Harper would be willing to waive the no trade for, it would be the Dodgers. Freeman is 36, and will be 38 when he’s a free agent in two years. I think that what remains on Harper’s deal, might be more palatable than say a guy like Tucker at 10 years or whatever he ends up with. Maybe if the Phillies freed up Harper, they could pursue a guy like Tucker. Do I see the trade as probable? No. Am I trying to negotiate it? No. Is it ridiculous to wonder what a hypothetical trade would like, on a major league baseball trade rumor website?
No, and where else can you ask outlandish trade ideas?
Ridiculous things happen in baseball..
Maybe instead the dodgers can just send Ohtani and betts to the Phillies.
For what? Why would the Dodgers just send Ohtani and Betts to the Phillies? No, they wouldn’t be part of a deal for Harper. The Dodgers have the prospect capital, as well as controllable major league talent to deal from to acquire a guy like Harper. The Phillies have one of the lower tiered farm systems in the league, and don’t have the controllable talent to acquire a guy like Ohtani and or Betts, so no, I don’t see that happening.
I was mocking your proposal by making an equally ridiculous one.
Where is this trade proposal that I made? Who did I propose? I wondered out loud about what sort of a deal it would take to get Harper from the Phillies. I made no proposals.
Dusty, are you a Phillies fan?
Harper reportedly said that in 2024-2025 offseason and it was contingent on the Phillies obtaining a significant offensive player, such as a first baseman who could hit 35-40 home runs.
“I talked to [the Phillies] this offseason about that, just in case a guy was available [at first] that we needed to have, needed to get. I’d be more than open to it if we had a guy like that, who was going to change our lineup or change the demeanor of our team. They like me at first base. But I’d go out there to have a guy who was going to play first base and hit 35 or 40 homers.”
What he didn’t say is that he would be willing to be traded. He has had an unequivocal no whenever the subject is brought up including in that interview.
From that interview, His deal expires after his age 38 season. Assuming good health, he wants to play, “until his early 40s, somewhere in there.” He wants to spend all of those years with the Phillies.
The only OF worse defensively than Harper was Castellanos. Sometimes, Castellanos was better. Why would the Phillies or any team want Harper back on the grass??
If they could move him for a legitimate power right handed bat and resign schwarbomb I would do it in a heartbeat.
Nope, there’s Teoscar Hernandez.
I’m really not seriously thinking that the Dodgers and Phillies are doing any blockbusters soon. I also never said he “wants” to be traded. For all intents and purposes, Harper seems happy in Philly. And I do believe that he wants to stay there. But.. he’s a west coast dude, and if there was going to be a team that he’d waive that no trade for, it would be the Dodgers. He’d probably want something for waiving it, which is fair.
And again, I brought Harper up, not because I thought it to be a likely scenario, but because I was wondering what a trade would possibly look like. Complete hypothetical, not in seriousness. I’m not a GM, but a fan that’s interested in trade values. I’m not a negotiator for the Dodgers or the Phillies.
Adell was worse. They could trade with the Angels to get him. What perennially injured starting pitcher with “potential” do the Phillies have?
Than Teoscar? Maybe. And I don’t think the Phillies have any starting pitching to be honest. Luzardo, Sanchez and what else?
Omg. I can’t believe the length of this discussion.
What’s wrong with Freeman?
Nothing. Move Harper back to the OF. He’s playing 1B because of the TJS and wants to go back to the OF anyways, if I’m remembering right.
Gold Glove nominated 1st baseman with a recent of history of arm injuries related to throwing. Let’s move him back to the OF…
Not to mention the ridiculous idea of trading him in the 1st place. Come on, my friend.
You’re not remembering right. He wants to stay at 1B.
It really depends on who is being offered in the deal, does it not? And I know.. it sounds crazy, but maybe a team like the Dodgers could do it. I mean.. they do have a RF’r playing shortstop right now, do they not?
I just don’t see why the Dodgers would want Harper when they have Freeman and Ohtani. If they want to give those guys to the Phillies than sure. It’s just silly.
There just no planet where it makes sense for them to trade Harper. He’s going into the hall on the first ballot, and they are still in their championship window. That’s the guy they’ve been building around. They’re one of the best teams in MLB and aren’t going to just throw in the towel while the division is still theirs by a long shot
Like I said, Harper has said that he would be willing to move back to the outfield. I’ll paraphrase and say that it was under the premise of the Phillies acquiring a bat at 1B that would improve the club. I think with Freeman being the guy at 1B, I think Bryce would feel that would be an adequate reason for going back on the grass. I don’t know how much depth the Phillies have at catcher or in their rotation. So maybe not Betts or Ohtani, but how about a deal centered around Rushing and Sheehan? And maybe another tier two outfielder like Tibbs, Sirota or another botr guy like Knack? Could be all or none of those guys, and there are more to choose from. The Dodgers have the capital to make it happen. And with the comments by Dombowski, at the end of the season, maybe if there has been a time that the Phils would like to move on, would it not be now? I know they “cleared the air”, but we all know that’s horseshit. If the Phils could move that deal, and improve the team in the process, why wouldn’t they?
Thank you for not ridiculing me off the bat. I do understand their window, and HOF stuff and everything else. But I do know of Dombrowski’s comments at the end of the of the season. I dont feel that the Phillies would be throwing in the towel. It would quite the package to pull him away, and for all the reasons that you just wrote. He wouldn’t be cheap by any means.
No, I don’t believe that the Phillies will trade Harper to the Dodgers. But I do wonder what a hypothetical trade scenario would look like between the two clubs if there really was an interest.
I mean anything is possible, I don’t see how even the Dodgers prospects or even younger players would be a good enough return for the Phillies. Harper is their best player and is on the field almost every day. On paper you could make it make sense, but unless you’re trying to shake the foundations of the team, I’d be more worried about not losing Schwarber’s 50 homers and retaining/replacing Ranger. They’re a slam dunk for the post season every year, right now at this point in their window, they’re all in and needing to get the right pieces to get that core over the finish line.
He doesn’t want to go back to the OF. Last offseason he said that he would be willing to go back to the OF if the Phillies picked up an impact bat to play 1B like Alonso.
Interesting thought. But if the Dodgers were willing to spend the amount of trade bait it would take to get Harper, they would likely spend it first on getting Skubal or Skenes.
Derail76
In the interest of the holiday spirit, let me say that you thoughts are valued and your voice is heard.
But Ohtani is locked in at DH, and Freeman is locked in at 1B. Phillies need Harper more than the Dodgers do.
Freeman and Harper are aging, but both are the rare player where the fan base and teammates would be strongly offended if the star was dealt.
@derail76 Why would the Dodgers go through all that trouble instead of just signing Tucker? Tucker is younger, and at this point, will probably give the same production as Harper, and will not need to subtract anyone from the roster or prospect pool to make it happen.
While the Dodgers could theoretically make that trade, that is some REALLY bad asset management and Friedman deserves to be fired if he did that.
He has a good name, as he has gotten so far off the path of reality that the conversation was entirely derailed…
Not really.. the Dodgers are pretty loaded with starting pitching. Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, Ohtani, Sasaki and Sheehan. And they’ve got a few young guys like Stone and Ryan who would be starters on any other team. And I think it would take far less to acquire a guy like Harper than it would for Skenes. Skubal will be a free agent after this season, but I don’t really see a fit for him.
Because from what it seems, Tucker wants a 10/400 deal or something close, and I don’t think the Dodgers want to go that far. They might find what’s left of Harper, more palatable than a deal for Tucker. But again, I have no idea if there is any interest from the Dodgers or Phillies, nor do I think it’s a trade that actually has a chance of happening. It’s more about hypothetical scenarios and what would move the needle for the Phillies to pull off a deal. No, I don’t see the trade happening, but I do think it’s fair to wonder what a trade of that magnitude would look like.
I don’t think so. The Dodgers current 6 man rotation has far more to do with a 5 peat than Harper would.
It would take an alternate universe. Harper will end his career in Philadelphia.
That’s fine. In an alternative universe.. what makes or breaks a deal?
I mean unless in that universe they’re trading them a younger version of Harper back
If the Jays get both Tucker and Bichette they’ll be looking in the stands for pitchers.
For 2027 yes but for 2026 they are in pretty decent shape rotation wise.
@Dustyslambchops23
For the pen, they need a closer, one medium/high leverage guy. If the tap Lauer in the rotation they’re going to need a longman/swing guy to eat innings. A legit closer is 18M+, medium/high leverage guy about 12M and a swing guy about 5M. That’s 35M on the low side. Bo and Tucker combined are in the 60M range and ARB awards are going to come in about 20M. That’s a lot of green.
They still won the division with Hoffman, and they have varland now, they can probably use Bowden Francis as a swingman.
They will probably use tiederman in the pen for 26 as well since he won’t be able to throw many innings. He has high leverage rotation piece potential.
#Dustyslambchops23
As good as my eyesight is, I can’t see Francis contributing successfully in ’26. His good half a season blip a couple of years back appears to be the exception rather than the rule.
It Teideman is going to be on an innings limit then so is Yesavage. I think I’ve just argued myself into signing a SP ;o)
Trey threw 120 innings in ‘25 so can probably get up to 150-160 comfortably for ‘26, my guess is the jays keep him in the minors a month or so to keep the depth and then not have to shut him down midseason/postseason
Ricky has never thrown more than 70 innings and only threw 17 in 24 before TJ, so they aren’t going to give him a starters workload
@Dustyslambchops23
To split those innings up, less than 100 were across all levels of the minors while 14 were in the majors. Depending on the innings escalator you use (10% or 20%) he comes in the high 130’s IP for the season or about 26, 5 inning starts. If Laurer is in the rotation unsigned FA swingman is getting more starts or they’ll be more BP days than I’d be comfortable with.
Yep, now I’ve convinced myself the Jays need another starter. Thanks Dusty!! LOL
They could use another starter for sure.
You forgot Trey’s postseason innings in your totals
The Jays have Gausman , Yesavage, Bieber, Lauer, and Berrios as starters… Then they can add Bassitt as a swing or long reliever . Yes, they could use a starter, like a Verlander, whose last 13 starts were at a 2.63 ERA…Then they should have Ricky Tiedeman, and maybe Varland as a 5-inning starter…The Jays need one bat, Bichette. They also have Santander back who is projected to have a bounce-back season . If Lucas, Clement, and Barger can have decent years, the playoffs are reachable …
@Floridacoach 2
Varland as a starter got smoked. Pitch estimators like FIP were over 5 to match his ERA. Batted ball stats shows he got pounded (OPS over .800 and HR/9 over 2). Varland as a starter, nope. As an opener, OK.
I don’t think Bassett is going to take swing man money when he could get starter money. Teideman is coming off TJS. His status/ability is suspect.
All the Blue ays fans. The Bjs are used to run up the bids from others. They dont have a chance at Tucker.
Who are the other teams. I am only able to see the blue Jays as a suitable fit.
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I can tell you now it won’t be the Cubs. I’m leaning more Mets, especially now that they traded Nimmo.
I never understood why people wanted the cubs to resign him besides the fact that gave a bunch to get him. It makes so much more sense to fill multiple needs with that amount of money…
if the Mets or the Dodgers sign Tucker it is because the Jays and the Yankees gave up and Kyle decides to go on a short deal with high AAV and opt-outs.
The Cubs….but I won’t pay him. You’ll get Owen Caissie instead. He might pan out.
I would prefer to give a long look at Owen Caissie, most fans would.
I think the Phillies are the best fit. They need a younger top performing player to slot in with Harper, Turner, and maybe returns for Schwarber and Realmuto. He can play RF and bat third there but he can also not need to be the face of the franchise, something he seemed uncomfortable about in Chicago.
I like him for the Phillies too.
I don’t see it. It would be a mistake frankly. They have too much field talent waiting in the wings to invest in a long term deal unless it pitches.
Phillies are in win now mode.
The last 2 offseasons say they aren’t. Signing gap fillers. This year they intend on promoting minor league youth. A quasi rebuild IMO. Intend to contend. Make playoff money and hope for the best.
Their GM said the exact opposite of what you are claiming. No offense, but I trust Dombrowski’s opinion of what they are doing more than yours. That they did go to the playoffs with one of the best records in baseball is first indication that you are wrong. That they didn’t have any glaring gaps is another. But please enlighten us with your wisdom.
I will never quite understand this logic. Every team loses 3 out of 4 in the regular season. Sure, it’s frustrating as a fan when your season ends suddenly, but there is no team skill that makes you better able to not lose 3 of 4 just because it’s October instead of July. So, as a GM, you know you have a core group that won 95 and 96 games the last two seasons. Make a few small tweaks and try again, that’s all you can (and should) really do.
Does Dave Dombrowski ever rebuild once a team he takes over gets to be a playoff team?
I don’t think he ever does, he just leaves and lets somebody else deal with it.
The problem being, the Phils can’t afford Schwarber and Tucker. It’s one or the other.
Don’t sleep on the Tigers ….. after 2026 they have hardly any long term committed salary.
I love the idea. Trade Riley, Parker, Colt and McGonigle (all cheap/controllable pieces) to PGH for Skenes and O’Neil Cruz… then we would need another solid OFer.
Pass on Tucker and back up the brinks truck for Skubal. Much better long term impact for the franchise
Yes, Fan, but there is a difference between having the capacity to make an expensive signing and having the will to make that signing.
The numbers being tossed around for Tucker, you add a little to that per season and you *will* get Skubal extended.
When youre talking willingness to pony up the big bucks for a guy, a homegrown stud like Skubal has far bigger impact than an OFer… one is in much shorter supply than the other.
Now, mind you, id love him to hit FA and my team to have that same willingness to go after him at whatever cost.
But realistically, the team has the long term salary headroom to keep him amd itd be a travesty for y’all to let him walk.
Maybe we should defer these tired jokes
Snell and Teoscar were also massively front loaded. Don’t forget the signing bonuses.
Tucker will be best on a team where he can be more of a supporting player than “the guy” who drives in the game-deciding runs. He just isn’t that guy. I suspect the chances of him winding up a Dodger are pretty good. Phillies maybe. Jays maybe.
I wouldn’t rule out any teams “already set” in the outfield (Yankees,Bosox, Orioles, etc.) because the excess can be traded for other needs
Dominguez for a bullpen stud, Cowser for any above average pitcher and so on.
Red sox already havent been able to get the value they seek out of the OF surplus as it is. I dont see them adding even more to the mess.
The Sox were apparently one of the finalists for Soto a year ago, so I think you’re right that they can’t completely be ruled out, and if they don’t like the free agent options it would free up two outfielders for trades for starting pitching and infield help.
They definitely aren’t the most logical or likely fit though.
@Gapper: I assume you are indulging in hyperbole as a rhetorical strategy; obviously, the Dodgers don’t sign “every” free agent.
Fits for one team, Tantrums for the Cubs
Agreed, his best fit is with he Cubs in a 44L.
“If Kyle Tucker no fits you must acquit” – J.C.
My FA contest guess was Gigantes.
Same here. I have the Giants as spending a lot this offseason. Starter and a closer too.
Giants spent a lot last year and need pitching. While I wouldn’t rule them out I’d call them a fringe team on Tucker. Especially when the Mets, Yankees, dodgers, jays and even the Phillies maybe in the bidding. He is gonna cost a ton.
He’s from Tampa. Hometown discount get it done, right? 🙂
Many fine eateries.
@Paleobros
Makes sense. I should have picked Tampa…
And roosters galore as I just discovered on a recent trip
Be great if Posey pulls the trigger and signs Tucker. Giants would be a good fit. IMHO
Posey doesn’t get to make that decision. Tuckers is gonna be paid so much that it’s an ownership decision.
Be great if the higher ups other than or not including Posey pull the trigger and signs Tucker. Giants would be a good fit. IMHO
Posey is part of the ownership in San Francisco. I would have to think that any decision on that large of a contract would be discussed among all of them.
Be great if the higher ups other than or not including, or including Posey pull the trigger and signs Tucker. Giants would be a good fit. IMHO
I’m getting dizzy
Atlanta. Braves.
I don’t think another long term contract for an outfielder is super important for the Dodgers considering they have a lot of options, especially with Edman and Kiki. If they can get him that would be great, but they need to be focusing on bringing in more proven bullpen pieces. It is unfortunate that Tanner Scott didn’t work out, but Scott’s 2025 season was actually more in line with his historical averages. The way pitchers get injured so often, the Dodgers really need to get it done in this department, rather than relying on a group of relievers that overachieved in 2024 (and probably blew out their arms because of it.)
BJ’s should kick Bo to the curb, get tucker
Tucker will cost double Bo
Do you not understand intangibles and chemistry?
1) The Phils need to pass on Schwarber. They don’t have the money to waste on an aging DH who just had his career year, and with money in hand, will now begin the same downward offensive production trajectory that even great DH’s like Ortiz experienced in their final years of play. Don’t forget that Schwarber is useless defensively, is always among MLB strikeout leaders every season, and was #5 in MLB in 2025 for runners left on base.
2) The Phils could use the money they would spend on Schwarber on players that would actually improve the team immediately.
3) Sign Bo Bichette to play 2B. Bring up Miller from the minors to play SS. Move Turner to an outfield position. Trade Stott and finally get rid of that annoying bubble gum walk-up music..
4) Bring up Crawford from the minors to be an everyday outfielder. Try hard to reacquire Bader or spend some bucks on another immediate impact outfielder. Bellinger is a possibility. Tucker may not be worth what he’ll cost.
5) Resign Realmuto to a generous contract and add a legitimate backup catcher.
6) Add a few closer-capable relievers.
7) Add Painter to the starting rotation or acquire another mid-rotation starter.
8) Make Castellanos a part of a rotating DH-by-committee.
9) Keep Sosa as utility man.
10) The new look Phils –
OF Crawford, Bader, and Turner.
IF – Bohm, Miller, Bichette, and Harper,
C – Realmuto
DH – Rotating – Harper, Castellanos, Turner, Bohm, Bichette, Sosa
This is a team that could win a champ[ionship.
In his final season Ortiz hit .315/.401/.620 over 151 games with 38 hrs, before the juiced ball era weve been living in.
If a “declined” 40 year old schwarber matches that, id take it in a minute.
gasox, You missed the point.
Ortiz hit 54 homers in 2006 – the height of his home run production.
In the years that followed, he hit – 35, 23, 28, 32, 29, 23, 30, 35, 37, and 38 home runs.
What’s more, Ortiz was a real hitter with a .286 lifetime batting average. Schwarber has a .231 lifetime batting average, is a strikeout artist, and although he did have a career-best 132 RBIs in 2025, he was 5th in MLB leaving runners on base.
I expect Schwarber will have a declining home run production similar to Ortiz’s after his career-season of 2025. I also expect him to continue to be a sub-par overall hitter, leave more runners on base than most MLB players, and with the institution of the challenge system for balls and strikes, have more strikeouts and fewer walks than he did in 2025. 3-2 calls usually go Schwarber’s way, even though replays show many of his ball 4’s were actually strike 3’s.
So, you may be right, and Schwarber may continue to average 38 homers a year for the rest of his career. I may also be right, and he may continue being a .231 hitter who strikes out more than most MLB players, leaves runners on base more often than most MLB players, and cannot play any position defensively. If that’s worth $30 – $40 million for the next 4-5 years to you, please sign him now – before the Phils take on another albatross contract.
The challenge system has led to fewer strikeouts in AAA.
Once you name batting average as your arbiter of success at the plate its clear that you are not very knowledgeable about what is important in baseball.
That you think HR are the only measure of power is another sign.
Wanted to check before I commented. Schwarber drove in 16.5% of baserunners. MLB average was 14.4%. So Schwarber drove in a higher percentage than average.
I dont think the ball strike challenge impact will be as big as you think.
Each team only gets two such challenges for the *entire game*…
Not even 2 for their pitchers, and two for their hitters. 2 for the entire team, all game long.
I dont think you’ll see them burned up early on, and, I think they’ll be reserved by managers for pivotal plays, especially in closing innings.
You dont want to lose a game in the 9th inning because you challenged a 4th inning walk to schwarber and ran out of your two challenges.
His batting average is lower than an ortiz type, but his walks are higher too. Getting on base at a healthy clip has value. Is it $40m/yr?
No. But I havent seen any serious reports expecting him to sign a $360m contract to be a pure dh either.
Teams will get as many challenges as they want up to the point they get the 2nd one wrong. The most in a AAA game in 2025 was 17 challenges where they were given 3 incorrect challenges.
Schwarber is expected to sign a 4 year deal. If they think he will get $360 million due 4 years that is a $90 million AAV.
Basically you are saying that if they thing Schwarber is getting $360 million they are an idiot?
A dichotomy. Bader had a banner year too. He will be 32. So all of the sudden it floats and you love it? But consistency year over year should walk?
The biggest problem facing the Phillies is at Catcher.
There’s a drought across MLB at the position, with a couple teams (CHW, SEA, a couple others) having superior talent backed with acceptable backup depth at the position.
JTR has to be retained as theres not much of a plan b right now… but at his age, its not a long term solution, just a bridge for a couple seasons that will require 1b/dh time to lengthen his viability going forward.
Thats where PHI needs to really figure out something over the next 2-3 years at most.
gasox, Realmuto has to be retained, and the Phils need to add another reputable catcher to share time with him behind the plate. If the Phils don’t resign Schwarber, they can progress to a rotating DH with guys like Realmuto, Harper, Turner, Bohm, Sosa, and possibly Castellanos taking turns DHing. You can’t underestimate Realmuto’s overall value to the club.
I agree, that’s why i said they need to retain him.
But they also need to start on plan b, as the years and wear and tear catch up with him.
burner,
You’re right that Bader has been an inconsistent hitter for most of his career, but he has excelled defensively. The important thing here is he seemed to feel at home in Philly, and was definitely a spark plug for the Phils’ offense as a leadoff hitter. The Phils would probably be wise signing him to a 2-year contract with options. Of course, Bader may not want to return to Philly. He may have seen the real disarray the team has been in for the past few years with too many generals and not enough foot soldiers on the field and in the clubhouse.
Real disarray, care to elaborate?
This has got Rendon vibes. Anyone coughing up 400M to this guy will regret it ever so quickly. 400M is Judge money.
7/210 still seems too high & too much. He’s a good player, but not worth the dollars that are being floated for him. Caveat emptor!
Well, the Mets do have an opening in their outfield all of a sudden, but I’m not sure that Stearns wants to make that length of a commitment, especially when he has some very promising OF prospects on the verge of making their debuts this year. He also needs to spend some money on a premium SP free agent like Imai, and potentially bring back both Alonso and Diaz.
Bellinger seems to be a better fit for the Yankees, and he can be had on a shorter contract than Tucker.
The Phillies want to bring back Schwarber and Realmuto, and need at least a couple of SPs.
The Dodgers are always a possibility, but I think that the Giants and Jays are the most motivated to get a deal done.
My wish would be the Braves get him and rotate him Acuna and Profar in the OF and DH. Definitely wishful thinking and prob not a priority for us to fill, but a good fit if the price is right
Insane.
I don’t think there is much question that the Mets have just moved to the top of the list. If Tucker wants to play there, Cohen will outbid any other team for his services.
I think you just said the key words, if Tucker wants to play there. That just cuts through the BS because if Cohen wants someone, no team will outbid him as we saw with Soto.
If this is the “best fit” I think it has to be seattle. Is that likely to happen with that front office definitely not but as far as best fit im not sure there is a roster his signing would impact as much
Best fit? Money talks. He goes to the very highest bidder. He has been waiting and pushing for a while. The Cubs realized that with Boras there was no way he would exted with them. I automatically consider the Dodgers for every deal. They are in on everything, unless they decide they have no interest.
Ridiculous!
He is going to end up in Texas and on the Rangers. Young is making the necessary moves to get it done and get back into the playoffs.
Texas? What? Not going to happen.
He could go back to Chicago, for no other reason than he’s not worth $400 million. There needs to be a better reason than “Vlad Jr got $500 million” especially when you can count on Vlad for 150 games
Tucker is not going to get $400M. In fact, no player in the history of free agency who has missed 110 games in the previous 2 years leading up to his free agency has ever received a $300M+ contract. Nor is Tucker a “generational” talent like Soto or Ohtani. – these are the type of players that get $400M+ Judge and Tout don’t get $400M nor does Tatis Jr.
Why did the Cubs trade for him if they weren’t going to offer him a contract? As usual, this club does things that make no sense at all.
Rest assured the Cubs will offer Tucker a contract….and likely sign him.
Idiotic!
jarvis,
The Phillies are a team in disarray. Why? Because they are a team of all-stars – Harper, Schwarber, Turner, Realmuto, Castellanos, and Bohm; a team of silver sluggers – Harper, Turner, Realmuto; a team of gold-gloves – Realmuto and Bader; a team with one of the best rotations in baseball – Wheeler, Nola, Sanchez, Luzardo, Walker; a team whose closer has a 103 mph fastball and his own light show – Duran; a team with a strong bench – Sosa, Wilson; and a team with good coaches – Long, Wathan; but also a team that can beat up on weak teams but not hit good pitching or win games that matter. There is something seriously and fundamentally wrong with such a team. I call it disarray. What do you call it?
The three (3) questions determines “fit”
1. Where does Tucker want to play is the first question because players are human beings first.
2. Does the team Tucker want to join need him.
3. Finally, does the team want to afford him
NYY, LAD, TOR: Neither of these teams want to afford Tucker. To sign him for a $35M AAV will cost them over $50M because of their CBT status penalties. They would likely have to self insure his contract against long term injury since previous injury to his hand and legs would be excluded from coverage
All of these teams currently have a RF
Low key native Floridian, Tucker probably likes high pressure media markets but maybe not as much as you might think