Kyle Tucker had a couple of suitors before deciding to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays were linked to the outfielder, but would lose out to the reigning back-to-back World Series champions.
On Jan. 21, Tucker was presented to the media in Los Angeles, and one of the questions the former Chicago Cubs star received was about his decision to join the Dodgers, leading the Mets and Blue Jays to be rejected.
“I mean, there’s a lot of great ball clubs out there with great teams, and they all have unique things that make them great,” Tucker said (h/t Dodgers Nation). “But, like I said, I think this organization from the top down is first class, and the team that these guys put together and assembled to give a great product for the fan base in the city to go out there and compete for a championship kind of speaks for itself.
“Just kind of taking everything into account and wanting to be a part of that, I think, is very special. You don’t really get that very often. It’ll be a lot of fun playing with these guys and competing for another, hopefully a three-peat here.”
Dodgers GM Talks Decision to Sign Kyle Tucker
Tucker has spent eight seasons with the Houston Astros and Cubs, compiling a .273 batting average with 748 hits, 147 home runs, 490 RBIs, and 456 runs scored, per StatMuse. He has earned one Gold Glove, two Silver Sluggers, and was part of a World Series–winning team.
Moreover, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes shed light on why Los Angeles felt that moving in for Tucker was the right move for the ball club.
“Kyle being one of the few free agents we felt could really impact our club, we stayed in contact throughout the offseason to make sure we were expressing interest,” Gomes said. “If there was something that made sense for both sides, we would have the ability to bring him on board. And like all of these things, the incredible support from our ownership group to give back to the fans [who] are coming out, and in the packs of four million last year.
“I think we felt like let’s continue to pour into them and to the team, and when we had the opportunity to do it, and this was a real chance to fill a hole that would really impact our team, we did it. It was one of those things where we were kind of waiting around and being in contact, and then it came together pretty quickly over probably five to seven days.”
Dodgers Get Strong Words on Kyle Tucker Signing
On Jan. 15, ESPN reported, citing sources, that Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract to join the Dodgers. Moreover, the deal includes opt-outs after the second and third years.
Tucker’s $60 million average annual value is the second-largest for a player in MLB history, trailing only his new teammate, Shohei Ohtani ($70M). With the Dodgers adding another big bat to their lineup, former MLB player Kevin Pillar shared his thoughts on why Tucker opted to go to Los Angeles.
“They have a proven track record of making their players better,” Pillar said during a Jan. 15 appearance on “Foul Territory.” “They’re back-to-back World Series champs. They have a collection of riches; they have some of the best players in baseball.
“They have this guy by the name of Shohei Ohtani who doesn’t want to sign up to be his teammate. You know, a lot of people are going to sit here and say, ‘Dodgers are ruining baseball. It’s bad for the sport.‘ But everyone has an opportunity to go out and bid for these players.”
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