All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker has been incredible to this point in his Major League Baseball career. The former fifth overall pick of the Houston Astros in the 2015 MLB Draft has spent eight seasons in the majors. In that time, he has played in 769 games, batting .273 with an .865 OPS, 147 home runs and 490 RBIs.
Tucker has made four All-Star Game appearances, won two Silver Slugger awards, one Gold Glove and one World Series during his time with the Astros. He spent the first seven years of his career with Houston before signing a one-year, $16.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs for the 2025 season.
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Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) legs out a double against the Houston Astros.© Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Tucker had a fantastic year with Chicago. While his batting average took a dip, only hitting .266, he made up for it with an .841 OPS, 22 long balls, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. With his deal with the Cubs only lasting one year, Tucker became a free agent at the end of last season.
With his all-around game being one of the best in baseball, there were many suitors vying for Tucker’s signature this offseason. Before free agency began, MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand named him the top free agent in the class.
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On Monday, Feinsand provided an update on where things stand with the star right fielder, as he said the reigning American League champion Toronto Blue Jays lead the pack, with the New York Mets in the mix.
“Toronto remains the favorite to land Tucker, sources said, though the Mets can’t be counted out, given their need for outfield help and their general willingness to spend big when they feel it’s appropriate,” he said.
The Mets have not had a great offseason thus far, most of their fans would say. New York has lost its four longest-tenured players, including the franchise’s all-time home run leader Pete Alonso and outfielder Brandon Nimmo, both of whom were with the organization since they were drafted.
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As for Toronto, it has made a pair of big splashes since its World Series defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers, signing starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million deal and, most recently, Japanese star third baseman Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year contract worth up to $60 million.
With these moves already in place, and Toronto in prime position to sign Tucker as well, the Blue Jays could be looking at another deep postseason run in 2026.
Related: Myles Straw Sends Message to Kyle Tucker After Blue Jays Report
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.