The New York Mets have not signed Kyle Tucker, or Pope Leo XIV for that matter, but fans are on the lookout for both after a cryptic tweet from owner Steve Cohen.
‘Let me know when you see smoke,’ the 69-year-old billionaire investor wrote in an X post on Thursday night.
Traditionally, white smoke emanating from the Vatican during conclave indicates a new Pope has been selected.
But in this case, Cohen may be referring to the team’s pursuit of Tucker, a free agent slugger rumored to be in the market for a deal that pays $50 million annually.
‘He can’t say anything about Tucker cause it’s not official right?’ a panicked Mets fan wrote on X. ‘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.. I don’t know man you could’ve easily also said the king is coming or something come on man this is ridiculous…. My nerves are on edge.’
Others were even more certain.
Kyle Tucker could be the bat the Mets ultimately pair with slugger Juan Soto in Queens
Billionaire investor Steve Cohen certainly got fans’ attention with Thursday’s X post
Did the Mets sign Kyle Tucker? Traded for a pitcher? Is Pope Leo XIV coming to Queens?
‘Has to mean they got him,’ another added. ‘He would essentially be trolling the entire fan base if it doesn’t. He knows that.’
Some frustrated Mets fans simply responded with warnings to Cohen.
‘@StevenACohen2 yo this means you landed f***ing Tucker,’ one wrote. ‘You can’t say that and we’re not getting Tucker.’
After letting Mets fans stew for hours, Cohen broke the rather disappointing news: ‘For those who don’t understand the pope election reference , we are waiting for a decision. That’s all I know.’
Fans were naturally upset.
‘The reference was bad,’ one wrote. ‘In the conclave they send up blue smoke if no pope has been elected and white smoke if one has. Smoke itself is not dispositive of anything.’
Tucker has received a $50 million offer from the Mets, according to reports from ESPN and the New York Post.
The Post has since reported the offer is for more than four seasons.
Looking for a big bat in the outfield to pair with Juan Soto, the Mets have been rumored to be pursuing Tucker, who batted .266 with 22 homers, 73 RBIs and an .841 OPS in 136 games in his first season with the Cubs.
Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns understands fans’ frustrations
Last year’s World Series teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, are also thought to be the other finalists for Tucker. Meanwhile, the Cubs’ chances of retaining Tucker are likely diminished after the team’s five-year, $175 million deal with former Boston Red Sox third baseman, Alex Bregman.
The acquisition of Tucker would represent a major coup for a Mets front office that has been criticized for letting All-Stars Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz leave for the Orioles and Dodgers, respectively.
‘Clearly, this has been an offseason with a lot of change. Some of that change has been really tough,’ president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday at a Citi Field luncheon with Mets beat reporters.
‘I certainly understand that there have been points in this offseason that have been frustrating for our fan base.’
