The New York Mets pushed hard to sign Kyle Tucker and made one final serious attempt to bring him to Queens. They did not hold back. The front office went all in and made their best offer late in the process.
The Mets reportedly offered Tucker a 4 year deal worth $220 million. There was no deferred money involved. The contract would have paid him $120 million in the first 2 seasons alone. It also included a massive $75 million signing bonus. Tucker would have been allowed to opt out after both the second and third seasons. From a money and flexibility standpoint, it was a very strong proposal.
Still, it was not enough.
Tucker ultimately chose the Los Angeles Dodgers. He agreed to a 4 year, $240 million deal with opt outs after the second and third seasons. The Dodgers simply went higher, and that was the difference. For Mets fans, losing Tucker after such an aggressive pursuit was a tough pill to swallow.
What makes it sting more is what came next.
Despite missing out on Tucker, the Mets are not expected to pivot toward Cody Bellinger, who is still available. That decision has raised eyebrows. Bellinger would add experience and depth to the outfield, something the Mets could clearly use. But sources suggest the team is not interested in him as a backup plan.
Instead, the Mets appear more focused on shifting their money and attention toward pitching. The belief is that they may now make a strong push for starting pitcher Framber Valdez rather than adding another bat.
For fans, this has been frustrating. Missing out on Tucker already hurt. Choosing not to pursue Bellinger only adds to the disappointment. Many expected a quick pivot to another proven outfielder. That does not seem to be happening.
If the Mets make a major move next, it looks like it will come on the mound, not in the outfield. Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen, but for now, the fanbase is left confused and disappointed once again.
