We often get so caught up dissecting the margins of the roster that it’s easy to overlook one simple truth: the Mets are run by the richest owner in baseball. When a once-in-a-generation opportunity presents itself, money is rarely the obstacle.
Free agency has crawled along at an unusually slow pace this winter, but according to MLB insiders, the Mets remain very much in the mix for Kyle Tucker—a move that would send shockwaves throughout the league. Juan Soto already proved last season how dramatically he can reshape a lineup, but adding Tucker alongside him would create what could be the most intimidating left-handed duo baseball has seen in decades.
Tucker’s 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs was labeled a “down year” by some, yet a closer look at the numbers tells a very different story. Even while battling lingering injuries that limited him to 136 games, Tucker still posted a 136 wRC+, meaning he was 36 percent better than league average offensively. He also crushed 22 home runs and stole 25 bases, showing his rare blend of power and speed remains intact.
What truly makes Tucker such an ideal match for the Mets is his elite plate discipline. He walked in 14.5 percent of his plate appearances last season while striking out only about 15 percent of the time—numbers that closely resemble Soto’s mastery of the strike zone. For opposing pitchers, facing Soto’s patience immediately followed by Tucker’s precision would be a nightmare sequence, one capable of wearing down staffs well before the late innings.
The Financial and Defensive Concerns Aren’t Deal-Breakers
Signing a player of Tucker’s caliber would require a massive financial investment, with early projections placing his value somewhere between $370 million and $400 million over ten years. However, with the market moving slowly, there’s growing speculation that Tucker could be signed to a shorter-term, high–average annual value deal—possibly approaching $45 million per season—giving him the flexibility to re-enter free agency later.
From a defensive standpoint, Tucker is far more than a bat-only outfielder. His athleticism would allow for a smooth transition to left field at Citi Field, potentially improving the Mets’ overall outfield alignment. While neither corner spot would be manned by a defensive specialist, the offensive upside would be undeniable, giving the Mets two of the most dangerous bats in baseball stationed on the grass.
In short, pairing Juan Soto with Kyle Tucker wouldn’t just elevate the Mets—it would fundamentally alter how opposing teams prepare to face them.