New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has sent the baseball world and the team's fanbase into a speculative tailspin with a single, enigmatic social media post. The billionaire investor sparked a frenzy of rumours, primarily linking the club to a potential blockbuster signing of star free agent Kyle Tucker.
The Tweet That Lit the Fuse
On Thursday night, the 69-year-old Cohen took to X, formerly Twitter, with a message that read: 'Let me know when you see smoke.' The phrase is a clear reference to the tradition of white smoke emanating from the Vatican to signal the selection of a new Pope. In the context of Major League Baseball's offseason, however, it is widely interpreted as a hint that a major deal is imminent.
Mets fans immediately connected the dots to the team's reported pursuit of Houston Astros slugger Kyle Tucker, who is rumoured to be seeking an annual salary in the region of $50 million. The cryptic nature of the post left supporters oscillating between excitement and anxiety.
'He can't say anything about Tucker cause it's not official right?' one panicked fan wrote in response. 'I believe that's a fact, so this has to be a sign like a wink n a nod…we r getting a new pope.. My nerves are on edge.' Another was more definitive: 'Has to mean they got him. He would essentially be trolling the entire fan base if it doesn't. He knows that.'
The Potential Prize: Kyle Tucker
The focus of the speculation, Kyle Tucker, is one of the most coveted bats on the free agent market. Reports from outlets including ESPN and the New York Post indicate the Mets have already tabled a formal offer to the outfielder. The Post suggests the proposal is for more than four seasons.
Tucker is coming off a strong season with the Chicago Cubs, where he batted .266 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and an .841 OPS across 136 games. The Mets are keen to find a powerful outfield bat to pair with their other major acquisition, Juan Soto, creating a formidable lineup in Queens.
The competition for Tucker's signature is fierce, with last year's World Series contenders, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, also considered finalists. Meanwhile, the Cubs' chances of retaining him are seen to have diminished following their five-year, $175 million deal with former Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
Securing Tucker would represent a significant coup for the Mets' front office, which has faced criticism this offseason for allowing homegrown stars like Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz to depart for the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers respectively.
President of Baseball Operations David Stearns acknowledged the challenging period for supporters at a recent Citi Field luncheon with beat reporters. 'Clearly, this has been an offseason with a lot of change. Some of that change has been really tough,' Stearns said. 'I certainly understand that there have been points in this offseason that have been frustrating for our fan base.'
For now, the Mets faithful are left parsing their owner's words, desperately looking for the 'smoke' that signals a major fire—a transformative signing that could redefine their team's prospects for the coming season. Whether it leads to Kyle Tucker, or remains an intriguing mystery, Steve Cohen has once again proven his ability to command the baseball headlines.
