When the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in 2024, instead of staying put, the team decided to spend a ton of money on big names like Blake Snell and Tanner Scott. They also pushed hard to get Roki Sasaki to choose them over other options.
The moves paid off, as the Dodgers won another World Series in 2025. This offseason, they seem to favor an aggressive approach again. The biggest fish available in free agency is Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker.
The 28-year-old four-time All-Star is expected to get a contract that’s around $400 million. That’s a massive price tag that many teams can’t afford. Even with the Dodgers’ massive payroll, they could still find a way to afford Tucker.
The New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays have also been heavily linked to the right fielder, but in the end, it’s going to be hard to beat the Dodgers. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report predicts that Tucker’s decision will come down to the Dodgers and Blue Jays, but he’ll pick Los Angeles in the end.
“Toronto is certainly on the short list of viable landing spots for what has long been projected to be around a $400M contract for Tucker,” Miller wrote. “However, it’s hard to bet against the Dodgers.
“Not only is ‘budget’ an abstract concept for the twice-reigning champs, but an outfield upgrade is certainly on their offseason to-do list. And unless they’re super high on Harrison Bader or Adolis García, the only free agents who would actually be an upgrade are Tucker and Cody Bellinger—the latter of whom might be opposed to a reunion with the team that non-tendered him three winters ago. Tucker signs with the Dodgers, who steer headlong into their villainous role with yet another massive contract that is largely deferred.”
Do Dodgers Need Tucker?
The Dodgers already have a roster that’s loaded with All-Star talent. However, the one hole on their roster is in the outfield. Andy Pages is a good regular season player, but he’s been completely ineffective in back-to-back postseason runs.
Kike Hernandez is a free agent, and it remains to be seen if he’ll return. Teoscar Hernandez is a two-time All-Star, but he’s coming off a down year. The Dodgers would love to have a true difference-maker in the outfield. No, the Dodgers don’t need Tucker, but he’d help fill one of their only holes.
Cody Bellinger Still an Option
As Miller noted, Bellinger would also be an upgrade for the Dodgers. He’s still a free agent and would likely be significantly cheaper than Tucker.
He got his start in Los Angeles and won an MVP with the team before his play fell off, and they moved on. After leaving the Dodgers, Bellinger returned to form and has been a very good player for the Cubs and Yankees.
Perhaps he feels like he has some unfinished business with the Dodgers. There was a time when it looked like he’d be the face of the franchise for years to come. Fans would certainly welcome him back with open arms.
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