The New York Mets have met with free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, according to multiple sources who spoke with Mets On SI. The meeting reportedly went well, and the Mets are described as cautiously optimistic about their chances in the free agency race.
- The New York Mets have officially met with free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, joining the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers as the three main teams pursuing him.
- Tucker, a four-time All-Star, is coming off a 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs in which he hit .266 with 22 home runs and could command a contract exceeding $300 million.
- After losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz in free agency and trading Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, the Mets see Tucker as a potential cornerstone who could reshape their lineup and outlook for 2026.
Blue Jays and Dodgers Also Involved in Tucker Talks
Jim Duquette of Sirius XM and SNY was the first to report that the meeting took place. He later confirmed that the Mets are one of three teams actively involved in Tucker’s free agency, along with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Duquette stated that all three teams have met with Tucker either in person or via Zoom as part of the recruiting process for a star player, and he shared that update publicly on January 12, 2026.
The meetings occurred during an offseason that followed a slow collapse in 2025, when the Mets missed the postseason by one game and then moved forward with a roster overhaul.
Sports Betting Markets Respond to Kyle Tucker Sweepstakes
As reports of the Mets’ meeting with Tucker surfaced, betting markets tracked by Action Network and Oddschecker reflected changes in expectations. Major sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and PointsBet do not consistently post “next team” odds for individual MLB free agents, but prediction-style markets have provided insight into how the race has developed.
Earlier in the offseason, those markets leaned toward the Los Angeles Dodgers. By mid-December 2025 and into early January 2026, Toronto moved into the leading position, with some markets assigning the Blue Jays an implied probability above 40 percent. During that same span, the Dodgers’ position declined, while the Mets remained listed among the primary contenders.
For the 2026 World Series, FanDuel has listed the Mets at +1100, while DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM have posted the Mets at +1600, reflecting mixed expectations alongside ongoing reports linking the Mets to Tucker.
League executives have stated that Tucker could command a contract exceeding $300 million, though it remains unclear whether the total value will reach $400 million. Reports have also indicated Tucker could consider a shorter-term contract with a higher average annual value and opt-outs, while a longer-term deal has been discussed in connection with Toronto.
How Tucker Fits a Mets Roster Changed by Key Departures
The Mets entered the offseason after losing first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Díaz in free agency. They also traded franchise mainstays Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, significantly altering the roster.
If the Mets were to sign Kyle Tucker, he could be used in right field, creating the option for Juan Soto to play left field, or for the two outfielders to alternate corner spots. The Mets have Tyrone Taylor, Carson Benge, and Jett Williams lined up to compete for the center field role. As a left-handed hitter, Tucker would add protection in the lineup for Soto and Francisco Lindor after the exits of Alonso and Nimmo from the center of the batting order.
Kyle Tucker’s 2025 Performance With the Cubs and Career Production
Kyle Tucker played 136 games for the Chicago Cubs during the 2025 season. He finished the year with a .266 batting average, a .377 on-base percentage, and a .464 slugging percentage, resulting in an .841 OPS. He hit 22 home runs, recorded 73 RBI, and posted a 4.6 bWAR. The Cubs improved from 83 wins to 92 wins and reached the playoffs during his season with the team.
Tucker turns 29 years old on January 17. Injuries affected him over the past two seasons and contributed to an abysmal second half with Chicago in 2025. Over eight major league seasons, he has been selected to four All-Star teams and has produced a career slash line of .273/.358/.507 with an .865 OPS. He has totaled 147 home runs and 490 RBI. Tucker is a two-time Silver Slugger and a one-time Gold Glove winner. He spent his first seven major league seasons with the Houston Astros before playing one season with the Cubs.
Defensively, Tucker recorded minus-2 Outs Above Average and minus-1 defensive runs saved in right field during the 2025 season. From 2021 through 2024 with the Astros, he totaled 30 defensive runs saved in right field. His defensive history has been cited in relation to the Mets’ president of baseball operations, David Stearns’ emphasis on run prevention.
