Blue Jays fans may relate to Cubs fans relishing in Kyle Tucker "red flags" comment

For a brief moment over the winter, it seemed like Kyle Tucker was heading to Toronto. His market was a little colder than expected after an injury-plagued finish to his lone campaign with the Chicago Cubs, and the Blue Jays were the only team known to have a serious offer on the table.

Of course, Tucker spurned their $350 million check and generosity for a record-setting $60 million annual salary with the Los Angeles Dodgers, rubbing salt in the wound after the Jays had fallen just short of beating them in the 2025 World Series.

However, something rather incredible has transpired since: Tucker has been pretty bad with the Dodgers. His 105 wRC+ and .715 OPS aren't terrible, of course, but they don't come even close to approximating the value he's supposed to be worth on his $240 million contract.

Things have derailed so much that manager Dave Roberts went on the record to say that the outfielder has "red flags" in his game, citing Tucker's inflated whiff, chase, and strikeout rates that have pinned down his overall approach at the plate. Perhaps the Blue Jays really are better off without him.

Kyle Tucker's albatross contract may be Blue Jays' last laugh from World Series fallout

Like the Cubs, who certainly have to enjoy seeing their former All-Star struggle with the National League's premier contender, the Blue Jays can take solace in the fact that Tucker isn't struggling for them right now. There are already so many questions plaguing this team; an additional $350 million one would be a PR nightmare.

That doesn't change the fact that the team never properly pivoted away from Tucker. The Mets, who also had a big stake in his free agency sweepstakes, immediately turned to Bo Bichette once Tucker chose the Dodgers. That only opened a further hole in the Blue Jays' lineup, which simply isn't getting the kind of high-end contributions that carried the team to a World Series run last year.

Jesús Sánchez was a very nice find (and an excellent response to Anthony Santander's injury), but he's ostensibly a platoon bat and a poor defensive outfielder. Tucker has the kind of star power that can carry a lineup through intermittent periods of struggle.

Alas, he's the Dodgers' problem now, and that's almost certainly a good thing given the way 2026 has gone thus far. The Blue Jays are still searching for offensive answers, but at least they don't need to accomodate a $60 million disappointment in their quest for help.

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