We finally have a resolution as to where superstar free agent Kyle Tucker will play in 2026 — and potentially beyond. Tucker and the back-to-back World Series winners Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a four-year, $240 million deal. The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. First on terms was Robert Murray of FanSided.
The deal includes opt-outs after years two and three with $30 million worth of deferrals. Tucker gets a $64 million signing bonus with $54 million payed up front, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The net present value of Tucker’s deal beats out Juan Soto’s previous record by more than $6 million.
With that being said, that now begs the question, what comes next for the Mets after their failed pursuit of the consensus No. 1 free agent Kyle Tucker?
Whats Next for the Mets after missing on Tucker?
Free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a four-year, $240 million contract, according to sources familiar with the deal. It includes an opt out after year two.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 16, 2026
What Comes Next
The Mets upped their second offer of four-years and $200 million, to four-years and $220 million, a league source confirmed to Sirius XM and SNY’s Jim Duquette. You do the math and that totals out to a $55 million annual average value (AAV). Now having lost out on Tucker; the club can relocate that money elsewhere.
A MLB source confirmed the Mets offer was 4 years at $220 million https://t.co/2BpMNYwTzI
— Jim Duquette (@JimDuquetteGM) January 16, 2026
Whether they pivot to Cody Bellinger, the next best outfielder on the market, or allocate their resources to starting pitching remains to be seen. The Mets are said to be content on rolling out an outfield trio of would-be rookie Carson Benge, Tyrone Taylor, and Juan Soto come Opening Day. That would likely be worst case scenario.
Freddy Peralta and MacKenzie Gore remain the top arms available on the trade front. Framber Valdez and New Jersey native Zac Gallen lead the pack in free agency.
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The Mets did recently speak to the Washington Nationals on Gore, though nothing has materialized since. They discussed a trade for then available starter Edward Cabrera. Talks centered around infielders Brett Baty and Mets No. 7-ranked prospect A.J. Ewing, before the Marlins shipped him away to Chicago.
If Bellinger doesn’t wind up in Queens, Harrison Bader is another option that could emerge. Though despite an impressive cameo with the Phillies last year, their isn’t much reason to believe the Mets would want to run things back with the 1x gold glover. Bader played for the Mets in 2024, splitting time with Taylor in center field.
“What we’ve done previously has not been good enough,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday at Citi Field in his first public comments since the Winter Meetings. “We have to do better, and we’re committed to doing that.
Top Image Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images