Phillies free agent update adds needed pressure on the NY Mets to sign Kyle Tucker

The Philadelphia Phillies have had a good, not great, offseason. Better than the New York Mets perhaps simply because they’ve re-signed Kyle Schwarber, have taken a chance on Adolis Garcia, and added Brad Keller to their bullpen, they appear to be a formidable foe in the NL East yet again.

The latest Phillies free agent update shouldn’t have the Mets sitting idle. They intend to meet with free agent Bo Bichette.

Pressure is palpable for the Toronto Blue Jays. It’s also firmly on the Mets who haven’t been nearly as successful this offseason when it comes to adding as the Blue Jays. Even if Bichette leaves for Philadelphia, the Blue Jays can feel pretty secure about how their offseason has gone. The Mets…they’re at an incomplete stage.

Bo Bichette to the Phillies makes Kyle Tucker a must for the Mets

It’s becoming increasingly possible that the Mets actually do end up with Tucker; or so logic dictates. On a short-term deal, the Mets are a perfect match. They need the bat. They have the hole in the lineup. Some would say they owe it to the fans.

Was it all a part of a plan? If so, they can’t hang the mission accomplished banner until the ink dries. And even if they did land Tucker, the Phillies circling Bichette is troubling for the Mets’ chances in 2026.

The good news for Mets fans is that a meeting means nothing. Tucker has already met with the Blue Jays and no deal has been signed. Bichette has suitors beyond Toronto. His poor defense at shortstop actually makes him a person of interest for more teams as they’d likely move him to second base or maybe even third base if they’re daring enough. It’s his bat that’ll get him paid and at only 27-years-old with his next birthday coming in March, he’s on the right side of 30 by a couple of birthday candles.

The Phillies’ core has been relatively stable in recent years or perhaps stagnant if you want to look at how they’ve gotten decreasing less far in the postseason. Bichette is the kind of difference-making roster addition that would open up news opportunities for them and give a massive change to the lineup.

Those same thoughts apply with Tucker on the Mets. New York has already subtracted from their core and now have room to make a stunning move by signing Tucker.

You don’t make big moves just because a division rival did. The Mets should be all over Tucker regardless. Bichette possibly landing in Philly should just be the added motivation.