“He wanted Toronto”: Whit Merrifield reveals Kyle Tucker preferred Blue Jays before Dodgers $240M offer flipped the decision

Kyle Tucker made headlines on Wednesday when the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him to a massive four-year, $240 million massive deal. The contract includes two opt-out clauses after years two and three, giving the star outfielder full control of his future. Right away, the deal sparked loud talk across Major League Baseball. Some fans cheered the move. Others questioned the Dodgers’ growing payroll and luxury tax pressure.

But behind the numbers sits a quieter story. Kyle Tucker did not start with Los Angeles as his top choice. According to a former Toronto Blue Jays player, Tucker truly wanted to play in Toronto. The Blue Jays made a strong push, offering a long-term deal worth $350 million over 10 years. Still, the gap between what Toronto would pay per year and what Tucker’s market demanded changed everything. In the end, money and timing pulled Tucker to the reigning World Series champions.

Whit Merrifield explains why Kyle Tucker chose the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Toronto Blue Jays

Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Whit Merrifield shared key details on the “6ix Inning Stretch” podcast on Wednesday. He explained how close the Blue Jays were to landing Kyle Tucker before talks broke down.

“But when he signed, his agent texted me and was like, ‘Hey, you know the Jays were … Kyle really wanted to go to Toronto,’” Whit Merrifield said. “The Jays offered him 10 years for $350 million.”

Merrifield added that Toronto valued Tucker at $35 million per year. That was their limit. While it was a strong offer, Tucker’s camp believed his value was higher based on the market.

“And Toronto just wasn’t willing to do more than $35 million a year,” Merrifield said. “The Dodgers came in and said how about $60M a year? So it’s hard to say no to that.”

The Dodgers clearly saw Tucker as a key piece. General manager Brandon Gomes said the team believes Kyle Tucker gives them their best chance to win the 2026 World Series. Despite growing concern around payroll and a possible 2027 lockout, the front office stayed firm.

Team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman responded to the criticism directly.

“We don’t pay much attention to that because we operate within the rules,” Andrew Friedman said. “We do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position, both short-term and long-term.”

Before signing Kyle Tucker, the Dodgers also added relief pitcher Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million deal in December. All moves were done within league rules, despite frustration from some MLB owners.

Kyle Tucker’s deal averages $60 million per season, second only to Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract. Tucker will receive a $64 million signing bonus. He will earn $1 million this year and $55 million next year, with deferred payments stretching through 2029. The Dodgers’ projected 2026 luxury tax payroll sits near $369 million, almost $90 million over the top threshold.

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