Blockbuster trade just threw major roadblock in Blue Jays' Kyle Tucker pursuit

The New York Mets have made the biggest splash off the offseason and have given themselves room to do more after a Sunday night trade with the Texas Rangers. The Mets are bringing a former Toronto Blue Jay, in second baseman Marcus Semien to the Big Apple, while sending the Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

It's an interesting move for both sides as the Rangers just let go of outfielder Adolis Garcia at the non-tender deadline, while the Mets are looking to load up again after a season where they missed the playoffs. But this could also be one of those moves where the initial deal is just part of the entire plan, and that could be bad news for the Blue Jays offseason blue print.

Blockbuster trade just threw major roadblock in Blue Jays' Kyle Tucker pursuit

With Nimmo gone, the Mets have an opening in their outfield and could be looking at the exact same target the Blue Jays are pursuing, Kyle Tucker. Last week, ESPN's Jeff Passan said that the Mets could be in the mix for Tucker, but the issue was that they had a few too many outfielders on the roster who were everyday guys. "Tucker's desire to win, though, will be a guiding principle, keeping the New York Yankees and Mets -- despite the presence of their MVP-caliber right fielders, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto -- in the mix for the time being," said Passan.

Tucker doesn't need to be just a right fielder though. While he hasn't played left field in the majors since 2020, he is athletic enough and skilled enough to make the transition to the other corner and if it means having both Soto and Tucker in the same lineup, the Mets will find a way to get both guys in there. The addition of Semien also clears up some payroll space to make a significant addition.

According to Bob Nightengale, the Mets are taking on the remaining $72 million on Semien's contract while Nimmo was owed $101.25 million. Jon Heyman has reported that the Mets are sending Texas $5 million to offset the difference. Experts have predicted that Tucker could command as much as a $400 million deal and the Mets now have both room on the payroll and in the outfield to make a deal happen.

While it was never expected to be an easy chase for the Blue Jays, the Mets making this move may further complicate Toronto's offseason plan. They have increasingly been linked to Tucker, but with more and more teams making their intentions known, the Blue Jays may have to start thinking about some alternatives.