Since his reported sighting in Dunedin, Florida, last month, Kyle Tucker’s free agency has gone underground. He was hardly mentioned at the MLB Winter Meetings, and there have been few new reports linking him to teams.
Maybe that's because the top free agent agrees with two top insiders who say there is only one landing spot for him.
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden said the Toronto Blue Jays would love to sign Tucker as their everyday right fielder for the next decade, calling the fit “scary” given the roster Toronto already has in place. In his column in The Athletic, Bowden framed Tucker as a complete player who aligns perfectly with what the Blue Jays value: impact offense, strong defense, and long-term stability.
That view is shared by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, who said on Foul Territory he can’t see Tucker landing anywhere but Toronto.
The 27-year-old is one of the few true franchise corner outfielders on the market, and his presence would immediately raise the ceiling of a team already built to contend.
The Los Angeles Dodgers remain a strong alternative, though Bowden described their interest as more flexible. Los Angeles needs to improve its defense in right field, but is believed to prefer a shorter-term deal with a high average annual value and opt-out clauses.
The New York Yankees appear to be a step behind.
Bowden said the Yankees have prioritized Cody Bellinger over Tucker, placing them third in his view of the market. That aligns with how New York has approached the winter, emphasizing flexibility over a long-term outfield commitment.
Taken together, Tucker’s free agency seems to be shaping into a two-lane decision. Toronto offers long-term security and a central role in a contender. Los Angeles provides a high-profile stop if Tucker prefers to bet on himself again. New York, for once, may be watching from the outside.
