Why this contract prediction for Kyle Tucker would make sense for the Blue Jays

""As 2026 dawns, if Tucker shifts his sights toward a short, high-AAV deal, nearly every single big-market club would have a reason to engage," writes Paul Hembekides. Tucker accepting a shorter term contract is something that few baseball observers could have predicted at the start of the winter. The native of Florida slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs last season. He posted a 4.5 fWAR and stole 25 bases. However, a nagging wrist injury led to a drop in second-half production with the Chicago Cubs."

"Signing Tucker to a shorter term contract could help Toronto navigate around the weighty contracts already on their books. The Blue Jays are poised to receive payroll relief next winter when the George Springer and Kevin Gausman contracts come off the payroll ledger, as well as José Berrios potentially opting out of his extension. That's nearly $50+ million that could be allocated to Tucker and maybe Bo Bichette. At that point, you would have added a a pair of cornerstone players to a squad that is firmly in position to win another World Series."

Kyle Tucker remains the top free agent target as spring training approaches, with many free agents still unsigned while meeting interested teams. Tucker could pivot to a short, high-AAV "pillow contract" after failing to secure a longer-term deal. The outfielder slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, a 4.5 fWAR and 25 stolen bases last season, though a wrist injury reduced his second-half production with the Chicago Cubs. A shorter deal would allow the Blue Jays to work around existing large contracts and potentially allocate more than $50 million toward Tucker and Bo Bichette next winter.

Read at Jays Journal