The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the top teams this winter when it comes to free agent spending. They've dished out well over $300 million in contracts and aren't likely to stop just yet.
Kyle Tucker, the top free agent left on the board, is the player the Blue Jays are going after. But, they're not alone. The New York Mets are strongly pursuing Tucker, with a $50 million per-year deal on the table.
But, despite that ridiculous offer, the Blue Jays, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, are still viewed as the likeliest landing spot for the All-Star outfielder.
Blue Jays still ahead of Mets in odds for Kyle Tucker
"And the Jays aren't necessarily done." Passan writes. "They're firmly in the mix on Kyle Tucker and still the likeliest team to give him the big-money, long-term deal he's seeking."
While the Mets have likely cornered the market for Tucker on a short-term deal with their remarkable $50 million per-year offer, the Blue Jays have the long-term deal on the table.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers not likely to go long-term, and the New York Yankees unlikely to do the same, the Blue Jays are very likely to be the top spot for Tucker this winter.
Even if they aren't offering nearly as much as the Mets on a per-year basis, their long-term deal on the table, which Tucker is looking for, should give them a massive advantage in talks with Tucker.
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The Blue Jays are getting a lot of money off their books next offseason, roughly $85 million, which is further proof the Blue Jays should have no issues spending big this winter.
Plus, combined with the lackluster free agent classes over the next two offseasons, spending big now for Tucker makes the most sense, as their options in free agency the next two offseasons won't be as great as they are now.
Toronto has every reason to spend this winter, and while nothing is done, they're the favorites for Tucker with a huge offer likely already on the table.
Despite a strong push from the Mets for a short-term deal, the Blue Jays still have the advantage with Tucker on a massive long-term contract, according to this report from Passan.
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