"They agreed to a three-year contract with KBO MVP to deepen the rotation. None of that is expected to take them out of the mix on a top free agent hitter. It'd be stunning to see them sign Tucker and Bichette - who'll probably join Cease in receiving the three largest contracts of the offseason - but the Jays appear firmly in play for either of free agency's two best hitters."
"Re-signing Bichette would be the more straightforward move, but Tucker is the better all-around player. He's a lifetime .273/.358/.507 hitter and is coming off a .266/.377/.464 showing in his lone season with the Cubs. Even if the Jays don't really need a corner outfielder, Tucker is the caliber of player for whom any team can make room. ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote last month that some executives with other clubs considered the Jays the likeliest landing spot."
"MLBTR predicted Tucker to receive an 11-year, $400MM contract as he enters his age-29 season. He declined a qualifying offer and is attached to draft pick compensation. The Jays already forfeited their second- and fifth-highest picks in next year's draft, plus $1MM from their 2027 international bonus pool, to sign Cease. Signing another qualified free agent would cost them their third- and sixth-highest picks as well."
Toronto has strong interest in free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette and has been the most aggressive team early in the offseason. The club signed Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal and added a KBO MVP on a three-year contract to deepen the rotation. Tucker is a better all-around player with a lifetime .273/.358/.507 slash and a .266/.377/.464 season with the Cubs. Re-signing Bichette would be simpler, but Tucker commands bigger projections and compensation. Signing qualified free agents would cost the Jays additional draft picks and push payroll toward a high competitive-balance tax projection.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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