The Toronto Blue Jays are strongly pursuing Kyle Tucker in free agency. After $300 million-plus in free-agent additions, Tucker would likely push their total well over half a billion dollars.
But, following the team's World Series appearance, they have plenty of money to spare and reason to spend. Tucker is their top option, and they've been trying to sign him for a long time.
However, there's a holdup, and he's not signed just yet despite the Blue Jays likely having the best long-term offer on the table. MLB insider Bob Nightengale on Foul Territory revealed why Tucker's not signed, and it's for one simple reason: AAV.
Kyle Tucker is holding out for Blue Jays to raise AAV
"I think he's waiting for the Blue Jays to up the AAV," Nightengale said. "... Get the Blue Jays to hike it up $5 or $10 million per year. Obviously, they're not going to the Mets' level, but they can certainly raise it. I think that's what he's waiting for.
Tucker wants the Blue Jays to raise the AAV of their current offer. While, as Nightengale says, it won't reach the absurd offer of $50 million per-year from the New York Mets, the Blue Jays could bump up their offer this winter.
Based on this report, if the Blue Jays wanted to, they could raise their offer by around $5 million or so per-year, and be able to get Tucker to come to Toronto.
It's a close bidding war between the Mets and Blue Jays this winter, as they're both strongly pursuing Tucker. But the Blue Jays have the upper hand.
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Tucker want's a long-term deal, and the Blue Jays are the only team willing to offer such a deal. While he could take a deal on a shorter timeline with the Mets, he could be risking a lot of future value if he struggles the next season or two.
If the length of the deal matters more for Tucker, the Blue Jays might not have to budge off their current offer. While the exact AAV of the Blue Jays offer isn't known like it is with the Mets offer, Toronto's deal isn't a cheap one.
Tucker is holding out for more money, and specifically, according to Nightengale, he's aiming for a higher AAV from the Blue Jays. If they give it to him, they'll very likely be able to sign Tucker, but if not, they risk Tucker taking the Mets offer on a short-term deal.
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