Why Kyle Tucker signing with Dodgers isn't that bad for the Blue Jays

Contributor
Matt Sullivan
Why Kyle Tucker signing with Dodgers isn't that bad for the Blue Jays image

The Toronto Blue Jays have been big spenders this offseason, investing over $300 million into the roster with big additions in the starting rotation, bullpen, and the lineup.

But, they lost out on Kyle Tucker, as the superstar outfielder signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on an absurd $240 million, four-year deal.

Losing Tucker stings, but as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic points out, it's not all bad for the Blue Jays. This situation isn't that bad for the Blue Jays, as their roster is still one of the best in the Major Leagues.

Blue Jays aren't in that bad of a spot after Tucker's FA decision

"The signing of Tucker would have capped a remarkable shift in perception for the Jays," Rosenthal writes, "demonstrating once and for all that free agents are more than willing to go to Toronto. But the Jays already were in a better place, as evidenced by the rest of their offseason. And even without Tucker, they should remain a force."

Tucker signing with the Dodgers stings from the Blue Jays' perspective, as they were one of the most serious suitors for the outfielder.

But, even after losing him, the Blue Jays have still built an incredible roster, and could very well contend with the top teams in the league thanks to their offseason additions.

Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, Kazuma Okamoto, and other smaller moves have combined to form an overall strong roster in Toronto.

Sure, Tucker would've made them even better, especially in the outfield, where they're at their weakest. But that signing would've come into play more in the future than it would in 2026.

More: Kyle Tucker contract details: How much deferred money did Dodgers give new star?

Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Nathan Lukes, Addison Barger, and Anthony Santander make up the outfield. It's a very strong group, one that doesn't necessarily need Tucker to be a contender in 2026.

He would've been better for the team in the future, with Varsho and Springer free agents after 2026, but for this upcoming season, the Blue Jays roster is still World Series caliber.

Even though the Blue Jays lost out on Tucker to the Dodgers, their biggest rival after the 2025 World Series, the Blue Jays are still in a very good spot, and the loss of Tucker isn't that big of a deal for the Blue Jays.

The New York Mets, with a massive hole in the outfield, are in a much worse place now that Tucker's signed with the Dodgers. Looking at the state of the Mets compared to the Blue Jays makes it clear that the Blue Jays weren't hurt by Tucker's decision.

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