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Projected Blue Jays lineup if they add Kyle Tucker this off-season
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Photo credit: © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Nov 16, 2025, 17:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 16, 2025, 17:01 EST
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From all accounts, the Toronto Blue Jays are interested in Kyle Tucker.
Quite a few sources consider the Blue Jays as the favourite to land the 28-year-old outfielder. That would be a game-changing move for the reigning American League pennant winners, as it’d give them a true slugger for the two-hole.
The question is, what would the batting order look like if the Blue Jays were to sign Tucker? Let’s find out.

Without Bo Bichette

Assuming that the Blue Jays are unable to sign Bo Bichette if they sign Tucker, the Blue Jays’ lineup would still be better than the 2025 season. Tucker would fill the two-hole in this scenario, taking Nathan Lukes’ spot.
Ahead of him would be George Springer, as Springer dipped into the fountain of youth in 2024. As the Jays’ lead-off hitter in 2025, Springer slashed .351/.435/.682 with 14 home runs in 178 plate appearances for a 207 wRC+. He’s a lock to bat lead-off next season, at least to start the season.
Following Tucker would be Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the third spot. Last season, the first baseman slashed .292/.381/.467 with 23 home runs in 680 plate appearances for a 137 wRC+, the third-best season of his career. He also elevated his game in the postseason, finishing with a 241 wRC+ in 89 plate appearances.
That’s a fantastic top of the batting order, but the rest of the lineup is a little more muddy. There are a handful of players capable of cleaning up. Alejandro Kirk spent time there this season, and Santander is one of their best power hitters when healthy. However, Addison Barger may get the look as he is poised for a breakout after his terrific World Series.
The fifth spot in the batting order is another tough one. Of the three main spots Kirk played in 2025 (batting fourth, fifth, and sixth), his .243 batting average was the lowest of the three spots. That said, Santander doesn’t have a ton of experience batting fifth, with the 2024 season seeing him hit 13 home runs in 147 plate appearances. For the sake of argument, let’s put Santander fifth and Kirk sixth, as the Jays’ catcher batted .301 when hitting sixth last season.
Now, for the bottom of the order, it’s pretty straightforward. Daulton Varsho gives the Blue Jays a power option in the bottom of the batting order. Following him would be Ernie Clement to bat eighth, where he found so much success in the postseason, while Andrés Giménez would bat ninth.
On the bench, you’d have some mix of Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, Tyler Heineman, Davis Schneider, Joey Loperfido, Jonatan Clase, and Leo Jiménez. Of course, things could change if the Jays sign the bench bat, but that is a rather strong lineup.

But what if they can sign Bichette as well?

It doesn’t seem likely that the Blue Jays will sign both Bichette and Tucker, especially if they wish to add in the pitching department… but what if they did keep Bichette and sign Tucker? 
The top of the order would stay the same, with Springer batting first, Tucker batting second, and Guerrero Jr. batting third. Aside from the lead-off spot, Bichette saw most action batting cleanup, so logically that’d be the place to play him if both he and Tucker sign.
After that, Barger’s ideal spot in the batting order is fifth, followed by Kirk and Varsho. Santander would bat eighth, while Clement and Giménez could platoon ninth in the batting order. That would be a stacked lineup.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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