The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their NLCS sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, could have a major upgrade in their sights.
According to insider Jon Heyman, the Dodgers could be looking to bring in this winter’s top free agent, outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Tucker, who played this past season with the Chicago Cubs, will be testing the market. The Cubs have reportedly attempted to extend him. But as it seems, Tucker will hit the market. The Dodgers, among just about every other club in the Majors, will be looking to land the 28-year-old.
Heyman wrote in the NY Post on October 18 that the Dodgers will be one of the main suitors for Tucker. Last winter, the Dodgers were one of the teams looking to land Juan Soto. However, it was the New York Mets and their record-breaking deal that won the Soto sweepstakes.
One year later, the Dodgers will be back at it again. They’ll be looking to bring in Tucker as an upgrade to their outfield production. This season, the Dodgers showed gaps in the outfield, particularly after Mookie Betts moved permanently to the infield.
While Andy Pages emerged as a serviceable center fielder, the rest of the outfield could use a boost. Teoscar Hernandez saw an offensive regression this season, while Michael Conforto was pretty much a bust.
Dodgers Could Make Tucker Member of $500M Club
Heyman notes that the Dodgers could make Kyle Tucker the newest member of the $500 million club in the MLB.
Tucker is a solid defensive outfielder. He’d be an upgrade in right field over Hernandez. But it’s Tucker’s bat that Los Angeles is really after. While Tucker had somewhat of a down year, he still hit 22 home runs and drove in 73 runs in 136 games.
The 28-year-old missed some time due to injury. Still, he was able to post a 4.5 WAR, about one win below his career-high 5.5 set in 2022 and 2023. He has a career 27.3 WAR, while hitting .273.
Tucker is a two-time 30-home run hitter and has hit at least 22 dingers in each of his last five seasons.
Injury concerns notwithstanding, Tucker’s career numbers could be enough to entice the Dodgers to back up the Brinks truck for Tucker this winter.
If Los Angeles can make it back-to-back World Series wins, Tucker may find it highly palatable to join the Dodgers.
Injuries Could Bring Tucker’s Overall Value Down
Tucker’s injury concerns may play a factor in bringing his overall value down. He played just 78 games in 2024, while missing some time again this season. The Dodgers may opt to pay him a higher AAV over a shorter-term deal as opposed to something like the 14-year deal the Blue Jays gave Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
As such, the Dodgers may explore a deal that could include a significant chunk of deferred money. That deal could be similar to Shohei Ohtani’s deal.
That analysis is merely speculation at this point. Other clubs like the Cubs, New York Yankees, among other contenders could be looking to land Tucker. So, there may be a bidding war for the lefty’s services.
It will be intriguing to see if the Dodgers’ winning pedigree could be a deciding factor in bringing the All-Star outfielder to sunny California.
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