Report: Blue Jays still in mix for Tucker after signing Okamoto
The Toronto Blue Jays' busy offseason might not be over.
Toronto is still in the mix for outfielder Kyle Tucker after signing Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60-million deal over the weekend, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
The Blue Jays have also been more aggressive in their recent recruitment of Tucker, a source told Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.
The 28-year-old has both short- and long-term options in free agency and has drawn interest from the Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason, according to Rogers.
The Blue Jays have been considered among the front-runners to sign the four-time All-Star, who visited their spring training facility in December.
Tucker is the top free agent available this winter after eight stellar campaigns in the majors with the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. He's slashed .273/.358/.507 with 147 home runs, 490 RBIs, and 119 steals over his career, and he hit 22 homers and posted an .841 OPS in 136 games for the Cubs last season.
Signing Tucker would likely mean the end of Toronto's attempts to reunite with shortstop Bo Bichette, who is also a free agent. The latter has made it known he would like to return to the Blue Jays.
A Bichette reunion also seems more unlikely following the addition of Okamoto, sources told Bannon.