After Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs, all eyes are on Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger as the next dominoes to fall in an incredibly slow offseason. Here’s looking at the recent developments from both their sweepstakes.
Mets Meet With Kyle Tucker and His Team
The New York Mets have had a disappointing offseason so far. They have seen three of their core hitters in the lineup – Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil – in this decade leave via free agency or get traded.
They have replaced them with players like Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien. However, the Mets are aware that they need a reliable long-term at-bat to support Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
According to Mets reporter Pat Ragazzo, the Mets are “cautiously optimistic” about their chances of landing Kyle Tucker.
The team has been linked to several marquee free agents, the latest one being Tucker. According to Mark Sanchez of the New York Post, in his column on Jan. 12, the Mets were among the teams to have held discussions in recent days with Tucker.
“David Stearns and crew met recently over Zoom with baseball’s top free agent, sources confirmed, demonstrating at least a possibility that this winter in Queens can be remembered for additions as much as subtractions,” Sanchez wrote for the Post.
Kyle Tucker has recorded 25.5 bWAR in the past five seasons playing for the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs. During that time, he has hit at a .277 clip with 134 home runs and 433 RBIs in 661 games played.
Cody Bellinger Offered $155 Million Deal by the Yankees
Multiple reports suggested that there was a significant gap between the New York Yankees and their most pursued free agent, outfielder Cody Bellinger. The ‘impasse’ existed because Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, weren’t willing to accept a shorter five-year deal.
According to The New York Post’s Jon Heyman, in his column on Jan. 12, the Yankees offered Bellinger a five-year, $155 million deal. The $31 million annual average value was in a similar range to that of the deals signed by Pete Alonso (five-year, $155 million, Orioles), Kyle Schwarber (five-year, $150 million, Phillies) and Alex Bregman (five-year, $175 million with $70 million deferred).
Heyman further reported that both sides are looking to deal with the gap in negotiations. The Yankees are looking to offer Bellinger some opt-outs and match the Alonso and Schwarber deals with zero deferred payments.
But, according to NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch on Jan. 9, Bellinger is seeking an annual salary in the range of $36-37 million and a longer-term deal. Surely, any team willing to commit such an amount for an inconsistent hitter like Bellinger would have deferred money attached to the deal.
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