Weeks of discussions had almost confirmed Kyle Tucker landing with the Toronto Blue Jays. However, former Mets General Manager Steve Phillips claimed that the team might shift their focus from the former Cubs for two reasons. While one factor remains their first baseman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., there’s a bigger card at play.

“He’s not getting $400 million. And quite honestly, I don’t know that there’s $300 million for him out there,” Phillips said yesterday on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “And the question is, how long of a deal is he gonna get? It doesn’t get to $200 million, because it may end up being that he has to take the shorter-term deal. He’s not getting the 10-year deal at $35 t0 $40-million per year.”

Kyle Tucker has been linked with the Blue Jays since he visited the team’s facility in Dunedin, Florida. While Toronto’s right-handed lineup is strong with George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kazuma Okamoto, Alejandro Kirk, and, for now, Ernie Clement, their need for a left-handed hitter is simply obvious. This is where King Tuck fits the bill.

As the top free agent in the market with a $40.2 million market value, he is looking for at least a $400 million deal as his next contract. And this is where the Blue Jays will not agree to his expectations.

The Blue Jays recently spent a significant amount to bring Kazuma Okamoto to the team with a $60 million, four-year deal. Right now, they might not be looking for any more big spending. In such a situation, Kyle Tucker and the team might fail to agree, and the Blue Jays might have to move away from him. They might have to look towards Bo Bichette as his replacement.

“If the Blue Jays go away on Tucker, if they sign Bichette, Tucker’s in deep do-do,” added Steve Phillips.

Bo Bichette has been in Toronto since the start of his MLB career and has carried the Blue Jays time and again. Just look at his three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani during Game 7 of the 2025 World Series despite returning from a knee injury. While he missed some time due to the injury, he earned 18 home runs and 94 RBI in 139 games in the season. So, performance-wise, even if he doesn’t bring anything to the defense, his offensive prowess outweighs other factors.

As such, he might be the top replacement if the Jays don’t move ahead with Tucker. Moreover, he has expressed a desire to stay with the Toronto Blue Jays, too. By seeking a deal in the range of 8 years and $250 million or a shorter contract with high AAV, he may be a better fit for Toronto after all. Plus, getting Tucker instead of Bichette might result in the team losing the tried and tested Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. partnership.

The Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. combination

Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entered Toronto together in 2019 and have had a strong relationship as teammates. Back in early spring, the shortstop even discussed how the two planned on playing together forever since they were not even 20 years old. In fact, they’ve probably crossed one thing off their bucket list by playing their first World Series together. Not only their connection but their skillset complements each other as well.

Guerrero Jr. provides middle-of-the-order power and presence at first base, while Bichette offers high-contact hitting and defense at shortstop, forming a strong core. The Blue Jays have built their team around this duo, viewing them as essential to long-term success and contention. In fact, right after the WS Game 7, Vladdy exclaimed, “I would love to finish my career playing with him.”

If the Jays move away from Tucker, making Bichette their obvious choice, fans might again get to see Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base while Bo Bichette plays second base. Add Kazuma Okamoto to the third base and the team might be able to keep their World Series aspirations alive in 2026.

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All things said and done, ultimately, the Blue Jays must decide whether to maintain their proven duo of Bichette and Guerrero Jr. or pivot to a new era with Tucker.