Last year, the New York Yankees rented Juan Soto and watched him walk across town to the Mets after a single season with a World Series run. Now, the Chicago Cubs face a similar kind of situation as they traded three prospects for just one year of outfielder Kyle Tucker’s walk year before hitting free agency. “That’s why it’s risky to give up assets for a player in his walk year – even a star player like Tucker,” an AL executive bluntly questioned.

So, could Kyle Tucker really leave Chicago? It seems very possible. Many teams will want the jewel of the 2026 free agency, and fresh off a crushing World Series defeat, the Toronto Blue Jays will be among the prominent among them.

And Mass Live journalist Chris Cotillo believes Kyle Tucker will sign with the Blue Jays. “This is a stretch after Toronto guaranteed $500 million to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a year ago. But the Jays have Bo Bichette coming off the books this year and both George Springer and Kevin Gausman hitting free agency after next year,” Cotillo said. “Could the bad taste left in their mouths by Game 7 force a huge spend?”

Now the question is, can the Blue Jays actually afford both Bichette and Tucker? The answer is surprisingly yes. Vladdy already has his huge deal. Bichette is also a top free agent and has already said he wants to stay in Toronto, where his next contract might cost around $25–$27 million per year.

Let’s look at the math. Toronto’s 2026 payroll starts around $226 million. Re-signing Bo Bichette is the first priority, and that brings the payroll to roughly $254 million.

And now, if they sign Tucker, who is expected to earn around $40 million per year, it pushes that payroll to a total near $294 million. This number is actually affordable given what they spent last season and their success this season.

But this move is not just about money. The Blue Jays were this close. They led 4-3 in the ninth inning of World Series Game 7 and were just two outs away from a championship before Miguel Rojas ‘ game-tying home run.

But with the new season ahead, they will surely try their best to repeat that same path or maybe even better. And looking at Vladdy Jr.’s motivation and belief in this team, no one will be surprised if Shapiro chases Tucker’s excellence in the outfield to boost their offense and defense for the next season.

“I feel proud of myself, proud of my team, with what I accomplished this season. Obviously, it’s not the way we wanted to end it. But we lost one battle, we haven’t lost the war yet,” Guerrero said. “We’ve got to move forward. I’m very proud of myself and my teammates, and we’ll be back.”

And Toronto also has a clear need in the outfield

Their offense was potent in 2025. But the outfield has defensive stars with quiet bats. Daulton Varsho and Myles Straw are elite glove men, but their offensive stats are low. Anthony Santander struggled badly last season with negative WAR. George Springer was great, but he will be 36 in 2026. So, Tucker’s addition will be great and really makes sense after this season.

But before that, Toronto will face its biggest rivals in this race once again, but this time off the field, as the Los Angeles Dodgers will also be in the race.

The Dodgers have an open spot in left field, as Michael Conforto couldn’t pan out in that position this season. So if they successfully land Tucker in LA, they can move Teoscar Hernandez to left field, locking Tucker in right field.

That’s why Jon Heyman said, “Dodgers people are said to love Tucker, and the outfield is their one area of less than great strength.

While their payroll is already an MLB-record $400M, they did try for last year’s No. 1 free agent, Juan Soto, with an offer of about $600M (with deferrals, of course) before bowing out and finishing fifth among five finalists in the biggest free agent derby ever. ”