Two rival competitors remain firmly in the mix for free-agent superstar Kyle Tucker.

Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets have recently met with Tucker’s representatives, as former GM and current MLB Network radio host Jim Duquette reported Sunday night. Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated also reported Sunday that the Mets have sat down with the four-time All-Star, noting the organization’s cautiously optimistic belief of landing the marquee outfielder.

The Toronto Blue Jays, of course, have also met with Tucker and hosted him at the franchise’s player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., back in early December. As of now, with the Chicago Cubs signing Alex Bregman over the weekend, this now appears to be a three-team race for the top remaining free-agent hitter.

Of those three teams, the Blue Jays certainly seem well-positioned to land Tucker in free agency, considering they’re likely the only potential suitor willing to offer him a long-term deal — while both the Dodgers and Mets would prefer a shorter term with a higher average annual value.

Having said that, Los Angeles and New York could become more motivated to sign Tucker than Toronto, whose roster may require a subtraction if another position-player addition is made following the recent signing of Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. Or, at the very least, such a move would significantly cut into playing time for Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider.

Now that all three interested suitors have met with Tucker’s camp, it’s realistic to think that those parties — as well as any mystery teams — will soon begin to increase their efforts to sign the left-handed-hitting outfielder, possibly making a round of competitive bids.

The Blue Jays remain in a unique position in this regard, as they also haven’t closed the door on pursuing a reunion with free agent shortstop Bo Bichette, who’s reportedly meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies via Zoom on Monday. They can afford to sit back and stay patient with either player, allowing both markets to continue to mature before deciding whether to make another splash.

While this team could benefit from another ceiling-raising addition, especially in the form of Tucker or Bichette, the possibility of coming away with neither remains a potential outcome now that their off-season roster construction is relatively complete.