Was Tucker originally interested in the Blue Jays? Insider reveals: Dodgers offered a staggering salary that's hard to turn down

This offseason, top free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker recently signed a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, according to former MLB star Whit Merrifield, Tucker was actually very eager to join the Toronto Blue Jays, but the Dodgers' offer was simply too attractive to refuse.

After securing back-to-back championships, the Dodgers appear increasingly willing to spend big. They signed Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal, averaging $60 million annually. Meanwhile, reports indicate the Blue Jays also made a bid, proposing a 10-year, $350 million contract.

Recently on his podcast, the "6ix Inning Podcast," Merrifield revealed that although he doesn’t personally know Tucker, he is well-acquainted with Tucker’s agency team, who promised to notify him immediately if Tucker signed with the Blue Jays. Merrifield stated, "Though it didn’t happen, after Tucker signed, his agent messaged me saying Tucker really wanted to go to Toronto."

Merrifield further disclosed that the Blue Jays’ offer to Tucker was indeed the $350 million over 10 years reported by the media. But considering Tucker’s value, market trends, and comparable player contracts, the Blue Jays might have needed to increase their offer. "Toronto wasn’t willing to exceed an average of $35 million per year. Every team has its own valuation of a player; the Blue Jays saw his worth at $35 million annually over 10 years, which is already an impressive offer. But the Dodgers came back with ‘How about $60 million a year?’ — such terms are truly hard to refuse."