The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the more active teams in free agency and in trade rumors this winter. After signing Dylan Cease to a $210 million contract, the Blue Jays are shifting gears to focus on the bullpen and the lineup.
There are a few clear top options for the Blue Jays, with Kyle Tucker being the clear best choice this winter for Toronto. But, with the Los Angeles Dodgers also interested in Tucker, the Blue Jays could be at risk of losing another superstar to the Dodgers.
However, a free agent rumor from USA Today's Bob Nightengale points to the Blue Jays having a significant advantage over the Dodgers for Tucker in free agency this winter.
Blue Jays get good news on Kyle Tucker amid Dodgers free agent rumor
"The Dodgers will make a bid for Tucker, and are willing to pay in excess of $30 million a year," Nightengale writes, "but only on a short-term contract. They have no interest in giving him the nine- or 10-year deal he's seeking."
This prediction from Nightengale on Tucker's free agency is a big one for the Blue Jays. While the Dodgers are willing to spend a good amount on a per-year basis, the Blue Jays have the clear advantage in length of the deal.
A similar situation just happened with Pete Alonso in free agency, as the New York Mets didn't want to go beyond three years, leaving the Baltimore Orioles a clear lane to sign the superstar slugger to a five-year deal.
More: Kyle Tucker spotted at Blue Jays facility, per MLB insider
Nightengale shared a further note that "Tucker has no interest in signing a deal that won't carry him through the rest of his career."
If the Blue Jays are willing to offer a deal for at least double the length of the Dodgers' offer, which would likely be at least six years, then the Blue Jays could have a huge advantage over the Dodgers in Tucker's free agency.
Even if the Blue Jays don't offer the four-time All-Star a deal worth the same AAV as the Dodgers, the years and total value could make enough of a difference for Tucker to sign with the Blue Jays over the Dodgers, or any other team low-balling the star outfielder.
More Blue Jays News:
- Blue Jays reveal Dylan Cease's jersey number never worn before in team history
- Bo Bichette predicted to betray Blue Jays, sign with AL East rival in MLB free agency
- Kyle Tucker's Blue Jays visit sparks 'dream' potential lineup for Toronto
- Former MLB GM reveals Max Scherzer's Blue Jays free agent wish
- Dylan Cease contract details for $210 million Blue Jays deal revealed