Public perception has not been kind to the Los Angeles Dodgers amid their signing of Kyle Tucker becoming official Wednesday.
The average annual value (AAV) of Tucker’s four-year deal comes out to $57.1 million when taking deferrals into account, which is still a Major League record.
It is the second splashy move the Dodgers made this offseason, with Edwin Díaz being the other. His contract set an AAV record for relievers.
The three-year run the Dodgers are on in relation to free agent spending has reportedly caused tension among other owners around MLB. Tucker’s signing is the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back and league is even more motivated to push for a salary cap as the next round of CBA negotiations is set to begin after the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Dodgers president of baseball operations is not concerned with the outside noise and agreed that it is ridiculous to portray Kyle Tucker’s contract as the tipping point for a lockout and MLB salary cap.
“For us, we just don’t pay much attention to that because we operate within the rules and we do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position, both short-term and longterm,” he said. “We’re not thinking about more macro things outside of that.
“It is about, how can we win as many games and put ourselves in the best position to win a championship in 2026 without really compromising ourselves in the future and falling off that proverbial cliff. So it’s the balance and maintaining of those two things that are our sole focus.”
Friedman and the rest of the front office are not privy to how the new CBA will shake out, and it didn’t influence their contract offer to Tucker. The Dodgers’ executive said the organization is making decisions solely on constructing the best team possible while staying within the rules.
“There’s just so much unknown around that. I’ve been through a lot of CBAs and have tried to get cute leading into a CBA, ‘OK, this is where it might be going.’ We have no idea,” Friedman noted. “We’re sitting in the cheap seats on that, and for us, it’s about whatever the rules are, reading and reacting to it, and doing everything we can within the rules to be as good as we can be.”
Dodgers focused on giving back to fanbase amid salary cap debate
Friedman is aware of the complaints being lobbed at the Dodgers, but reiterated the organization’s commitment to winning at all costs. He isn’t concerning himself with the ongoing debate of baseball’s need for a salary cap.
“I’ve heard that over the last couple years. Again, for us, all we’re consumed with is the partnership we have with our fans,” he said. “Our job is to win as many games as we can, to provide a product and team fans feel passionate about and connect with, provide the joy and ups and downs that come with a season and in October, and that kind of entertainment.
“Pouring back into them with how much they pour into us, that’s our only focus. We have created a situation where we’re obviously in a way stronger position today than we were five years ago or 10 years ago. Foundational pieces we have put in place have helped create this opportunity. From Mark and our ownership group, it is all about repaying that and fulfilling our end of this joint partnership.”
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