This week’s mailbag gets into whether Kyle Tucker will sign a shorter-term deal, options for the Rays at catcher, the trade value of controllable Mariners starters, the Tigers’ offseason thus far, Dustin May‘s potential impact with the Cardinals, and much more.
Dave asks:
At this point do you think Kyle Tucker will take a high AAV deal — example: 5 years $250 million with opt outs after years 2 and 4?
I’m writing this on December 17th, and I don’t think we’re at that point with Tucker. It’s true that long-term free agent deals usually happen in December. The last free agent deal of 8+ years that didn’t happen in December was Bryce Harper in March 2019, with his 13-year deal coming a few weeks after Manny Machado‘s ten-year pact.
Eric Hosmer got an eight-year deal in February 2018, and Prince Fielder signed for nine years in January 2012.
That’s about it, though, so if we get to the new year without a Tucker deal, the odds start shifting toward a shorter term.
Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription
- Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
- Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.
- Remove ads and support our writers.
- Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker
