Dave Litman
Is this a new form of tampering? Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Myles Straw has made a unique and hilarious attempt to recruit top free agent Kyle Tucker to Toronto by offering his babysitting services.
Straw and Tucker played next to each other for parts of three seasons with the Houston Astros, from 2018 through 2021. They were tight, so much so that Tucker was one of Straw’s groomsmen at his wedding (h/t Zach Bachar, Bleacher Report). Now that Tucker and his wife are expecting their first child, Straw is offering his services by babysitting—if Tucker comes to the Blue Jays.
Straw commented on Tucker’s Instagram post announcing the impending birth with the comment, “Let’s go!!!!! Now come to the jays i can help babysit”.
We’re thinking that Straw’s inclusion of happy face emojis would help clear him of any tampering charges if commissioner Rob Manfred were to open an investigation.
Myles Straw recruits former teammate Kyle Tucker to Toronto
As for Tucker, he hits the open market with the expectation of landing the fourth largest contract in major league history. Projections have him securing a deal potentially in the $400 million range. He’s coming off a nice year in his lone season with the Chicago Cubs, though a bit under his usual lofty standards. Tucker finished with 22 homers and 73 RBIs with 25 stolen bases and an .841 OPS. Those numbers all fall a tad below his normal superstar production, though he was injured for a time and played just 136 games.
The 28-year-old has a career .273 batting mark with a .507 slugging pct. and an .865 OPS. The five-tool star is clearly at the top of this year’s free agent class.
He’d slot in nicely in right field in Toronto, perhaps as the final piece in getting the Blue Jays that World Series title. He would allow George Springer to move to DH full time.
Blue Jays a leading contender to sign free agent Kyle Tucker
The Blue Jays are thought to be a serious contender to land Tucker, whether or not Straw’s promise of changing some diapers holds any weight. Insider Jon Heyman recently suggested on his Bleacher Report livestream that Toronto was one of his top two favorites for Tucker (along with the LA Dodgers).
Mark Feinsand of mlb.com agrees, as he told the crew on MLB Network this week.
“The one team I heard more than anybody else connected to Tucker was the Blue Jays… I think Tucker is certainly going to be in the mix there in Toronto.”
As for Straw, he’s signed for 2026 as part of his five-year contract the Blue Jays inherited in a trade with Cleveland last offseason. Toronto holds two further years of club options. That’s a lot potential babysitting assignments if Tucker comes on board.
