NY Mets rumors: Kyle Tucker backup plan is a better alternative to Luis Robert Jr.

Kyle Tucker has quickly become the name to watch as the New York Mets explore their biggest possible move of the offseason. The interest is real, the fit is obvious, and the upside speaks for itself. Still, even with Tucker clearly at the top of the board, free agency has a way of forcing teams to prepare for what comes next.

If that push does not land, the Mets will have to decide which fallback actually fits. Luis Robert Jr. has been part of the discussion, but he brings a much different cost and risk profile. Jeff Passan recently pointed to another outfielder the Mets should keep an eye on, and the appeal is easy to see. One that aligns closely with how this front office typically operates.

Lars Nootbaar is the better fit for the Mets if a deal with Kyle Tucker falls through

Rumors linking the Mets to Robert have been floating around since last season’s trade deadline, and by now, most fans know the rundown by heart. If the fanbase were standing next to Steve Harvey on Family Feud, the top answers would come out fast. Speed, plus defense, injury questions, a $20 million salary in 2026, and the memory of that 38-homer season in 2023. The problem is that, aside from the few highlights, the profile does not fully align with what this front office typically prioritizes.

Lars Nootbaar presents a very different profile. His 2025 stat line does not exactly demand attention at first glance. A .234/.325/.361 slash with 13 home runs feels fine, not flashy. Context matters, though. Nootbaar played through physical issues for much of the season before needing surgery this offseason. Even in a down year and while banged up, the foundation of his offensive approach stayed intact.

What makes Nootbaar intriguing for the Amazins is how he handles at-bats. In 2025, he still ranked in the top 25 percent of Major League Baseball in chase rate, whiff rate, and hard-hit percentage, while walking in 11 percent of his plate appearances. In 2024, that plate discipline climbed even higher across the board, as he chased pitches less often than Juan Soto and finished among the best in the sport at controlling the strike zone. His on-base production backs it up, with a .367 OBP in 2023 and a .342 mark in 2024, along with a .358 xwOBA.

Nootbaar is set to earn $5.35 million in 2026 and remains under team control through 2027. He plays average outfield defense and would not require a significant prospect return coming off surgery. For a team balancing upside with cost and control, that combination fits cleanly into how this front office tends to build.

Tucker is the swing, but the Stearns has to be ready for another path. If that happens, Nootbaar fits what they are trying to do better than the Robert Jr. route.