The Mets have presented Kyle Tucker with a short-term offer worth $50 million annually as the bidding war reaches a critical point.

The battle for Kyle Tucker continues to heat up, with the New York Mets playing a major role. Reports from FanSided’s Robert Murray and MLB insider Jon Heyman indicate that the Mets have made a short-term offer averaging $50 million annually. Additionally, The Athletic’s Will Sammon revealed the team has held multiple video meetings with Tucker over the past week and proposed a three-year contract worth approximately $120 to $140 million in total.

Sammon also noted that industry insiders speculate Tucker’s decision “could come as early as this week.” Mets’ baseball operations president David Stearns did not directly address the reports during a recent press lunch at Citi Field but, when asked if the team’s major offseason moves were finished, he said nothing should be ruled out: “I’m not taking any options off the table. I believe we are and will continue to engage at all levels of the free agent market and trade negotiations.”

Signing Tucker would be a major boost for the Mets this offseason—previously, their moves mostly involved player departures. Tucker’s ability to play both corner outfield spots perfectly fills the left field vacancy created after New York traded Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil earlier in the offseason.

The Mets regard Tucker’s bat as elite firepower. His offensive value not only helps offset the loss of Pete Alonso but also has the potential to form one of the league’s top offensive trios alongside Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor.

However, the Mets are not Tucker’s only suitors. The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers are also closely linked with him. MLB Network’s Jim Duquette reported that both teams have met with Tucker either in person or via video. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers revealed today that the Blue Jays have offered Tucker a long-term contract. Like the Mets, both Toronto and Los Angeles have clear needs to strengthen their outfield positions.

As the top hitter on the free agent market, Tucker posted a .266/.377/.464 slash line with a 143 OPS+ last season while playing for the Chicago Cubs, earning his fourth All-Star selection. Since 2021, his 23.4 fWAR ranks tenth in the league and is second among outfielders only to Aaron Judge and Juan Soto; during the same period, his 143 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) also ranks tied for ninth in the league.