Why repeated Mets leaks could be great news for Blue Jays' Kyle Tucker pursuit

The New York Mets are reportedly willing to have two players on their roster that would make over $100 million annually combined. They already have Juan Soto employed, with an AAV of $51 million and now they are willing to give Kyle Tucker a $50 million AAV contract as well, and they are hoping to have him employed for at least four seasons.

It's been reported by a number of sources that the Mets offer is for $200 million over four years. But the more we hear about this leak, the more it is potentially good news for the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans. That amount of money is hard to turn down, but there has to be a reason he hasn't signed it yet.

Why repeated Mets leaks could be great news for Blue Jays' Kyle Tucker pursuit

Ever since the $50 million AAV figure became public, the other two main pursuers, the LA Dodgers and the Blue Jays have been pretty silent. This almost makes it feel like the Mets are just throwing this deal out there to use as leverage against the Blue Jays and the Dodgers.

Perhaps both teams will need to come close to that figure, or perhaps they can offer Tucker something better that he is seeking, and that could be longevity. Maybe the soon to be 29-year-old outfielder is looking for somewhere to call his forever home. He has seen the mega deals given out to guys like Soto (15 years), Shohei Ohtani (10 years) Bryce Harper (13 years) Trey Turner (11 years) and the 14 year extension the Blue Jays gave Vladimir Guerrero Jr. just last spring.

And if it's longevity he wants the Blue Jays might be the best suited team to give him that. ESPN reporter Jeff Passan told Sportsnet on Wednesday evening (Jan. 14) that the Blue Jays are willing to make the contract length a decade long. He says, "The Toronto Blue Jays have really been the only team that's shown the willingness to go as deep as 10 years, potentially."

For Tucker to look at the prospects of being paid until he's 40 versus reentering the market when he's turning 33 would have to seem like a no brainer. Sure, we have seen some big name players sign a short term deal to bet on themselves and then go back into free agency and get the money they were looking for, Alex Bregman being a good example of that. However, Bregman never had a ten year deal on the table.

And while all three teams that are after Tucker are in a "win-now" mode, there also has to be something intriguing for Tucker to think about playing alongside Vladdy until the day they both retire. It seems like decision day is imminent and just like several big name free agents before, the Blue Jays are going to be one of the last teams standing. Let's hope this time they aren't just "close to the finish line" but this time actually get over line and seal the deal.