Ken Rosenthal reveals 2 major problems for Kyle Tucker signing with Mets for $50 million

Billy Heyen

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Ken Rosenthal reveals 2 major problems for Kyle Tucker signing with Mets for $50 million image

The reports earlier this week suggested that Kyle Tucker could cost the New York Mets as much as $50 million per year.

And for lack of a better word, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal is confused.

The MLB insider pointed out in a new article on Wednesday that Tucker doesn't add up with what the Mets have said they're doing.

President of baseball operations David Stearns wants a better defense, at least according to his public comments. Juan Soto is already a bad outfield defender.

"Tucker, who turns 29 on Saturday, surely would deepen the Mets’ lineup," Rosenthal writes. "He was a Gold Glove finalist in 2020 and ‘21 and a winner in ‘22. But he has since declined in right field, and according to Outs Above Average, was a worse defensive outfielder last season than Brandon Nimmo. By the same metric, the Mets’ current $51 million per year man, Juan Soto, was the worst defensive right fielder in the game."

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There's another issue pointed out by Rosenthal:

"His low-key personality might not be an ideal fit for the New York market either."

That sounds like two worries that make committing the reported $50 million per year, even in a short-term deal, a tough pill to swallow.

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The Mets aren't alone in their pursuit of Tucker. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays seem to be in on him, too.

But it is curious what Rosenthal points out, that the Mets signing Tucker wouldn't necessarily align with how they've framed their offseason.

They might still do it. And at that point, everyone will want to see how it works out.

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