Kyle Tucker is the top free agent available and figures to be in line for a lucrative long-term contract, particularly with the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees among the potential suitors.
In a recent poll of some general managers, the Dodgers, Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays were predicted as the most-likely landing spot for Tucker. The Dodgers do have a need in the outfield and the 28-year-old Tucker conceivably would help extend their window as World Series contenders.
But while the Dodgers might have interest in signing Tucker, they reportedly would prefer to do so on a short-term contract that comes with a higher average annual value, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
Though Tucker makes sense for a Los Angeles Dodgers team in need of a productive outfield bat, sources said their interest is more likely to be on a high-dollar, shorter-term deal.
The Dodgers took such an approach under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in their pursuit of Bryce Harper. He instead preferred long-term security and signed what at the time was a record-breaking 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Harper’s contract with the Phillies does not include any opt-out clauses, which was against advice from agent Scott Boras.
Tucker is represented by Casey Close of Excel Sports Management, the same group that represents Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone and Clayton Kershaw, among others with the Dodgers.
There have not been any public indications as to whether or not Tucker would be open to a short-term contract with the Dodgers or other team that presents an opportunity to compete for a World Series.
Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger?
Along with Tucker, the Dodgers have been connected to a potential reunion with Cody Bellinger. He became a free agent after opting out of the final year of his contract that was signed with the Chicago Cubs but taken on by the New York Yankees after a trade last December.
Bellinger could end up having a robust market that amounts to an opportunity for a long-term contract that might not be in line with the Dodgers’ vision.
Further indication that the Dodgers may prefer to avoid committing to Tucker is it recently was reported the team was considering internal options to fill their need in left field.
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