Orioles' dream offseason looks even better after Blue Jays miss on Kyle Tucker

The Toronto Blue Jays were doing their level best to fire a warning shot to the Baltimore Orioles (and the rest of baseball) that their offseason better not be done. After being linked to Kyle Tucker throughout the offseason, Toronto began really pushing hard to sign Tucker and was among the favorites before the All-Star ended up signing with the Dodgers.

Adding Tucker would have capped off what has been a terrific offseason for Toronto. The Blue Jays opened the offseason by signing Dylan Cease, and continued their efforts into the New Year with the signing of Kazuma Okamoto. While Okamoto's arrival may have closed the door on Bo Bichette's return to Toronto, it didn't take the Blue Jays out of the running for Tucker up until the end.

While the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers were connected to Tucker as his free agency drew to a close, Toronto always seemed like a natural fit. Tucker spent the 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs, and while he was an All-Star and had a stretch where he was an MVP candidate, it was a relationship that didn't end on the best of terms.

Thankfully, Toronto ended up being the bridesmaids again with Tucker and the Orioles' offseason now has a great chance of being enough to keep pace with the Blue Jays in the division

Blue Jays landing Kyle Tucker would have added a lot of pressure on Orioles the rest of the offseason

Tucker had a pair of injuries that led to a prolonged offensive slump. How Tucker managed those injuries drew ire with not only Cubs fans but the Cubs' beat writers. It was also suspicious when Tucker left the team during the final month of the regular season to seek treatment from his own training staff.

The Orioles certainly have held their own against the Blue Jays this offseason. Signing Pete Alonso is the headline of Baltimore's winter, but they also made an upside play in trading for Shane Baz, solidified the bullpen by signing Ryan Helsley, and added more pop in the outfield with Taylor Ward.

Even before the Blue Jays failed pursuit of Tucker, there was an incomplete feeling to Baltimore's offseason. In many ways, it has been a dream, but it also feels incomplete. Even with Baz and the return of Zach Eflin, it felt like the Orioles still needed a frontline starting pitcher.

If that is the final goal for Mike Elias and Co. this offseason, they may need to make a move soon. Ranger Suarez was taken off the market by the Boston Red Sox, and Tucker spurning Toronto keeps the Blue Jays from pulling away in the division too much. With this new opportunity, he Orioles better have one more trick up their sleeve.