Mets offer Kyle Tucker $50 million per year in pursuit of top MLB free agent

An offseason known for change at this point could be remembered for dollars — a big chunk of them.

The Mets have offered Kyle Tucker a short-term contract worth $50 million per season, a source confirmed Tuesday. FanSided first reported the startling average annual value for the top free agent available, who is also believed to be sought by at least the Blue Jays and Dodgers.

The details of the proposal are unclear, but it would be a shorter deal that would pay Steve Cohen $101 million per season as the starting cornerback, pairing Tucker with Juan Soto ($51 million per).

The Mets need an outfielder – at least one – to replace Brandon Nimmo, who left via trade or free agency along with Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz and Jeff McNeil for a winter makeover in Queens.

Adding Tucker, who has the best bat on the market, has been an All-Star four years in a row, turns 29 this weekend and recently met with the Mets via Zoom, would certainly change the narrative around the team.

When asked earlier in the day if the heavy lifting for the offseason is behind us and the bulk of the upcoming moves will be on the periphery, David Stearns said, “I wouldn’t take anything off the table. I think we are and will continue to be involved in conversations in all areas of free agency and the trade market.”