It has been another slow-moving MLB offseason as Kyle Tucker and several other top free agents are still available with the start of Spring Training fast approaching.
Tucker has been one of the most productive players in baseball over the last few years and was projected to command a contract of at least $400 million.
Given that he is still unsigned, Tucker may have to settle for a shorter-term deal that would allow him to test free agency again in the near future. That would presumably lead to more teams competing to sign him, including the Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, Tucker likes the idea of signing with the Dodgers because they already have a star-studded roster and he wouldn’t have as much pressure to perform:
Tucker on, say, a four-year deal with opt-outs and a massive AAV would be a classic Friedman add. The idea also might appeal to Tucker’s low-key personality. Rather than the center of attention, he would be perhaps the Dodgers’ fifth- or sixth-biggest star.
If Tucker signs with the Dodgers, he would play more of a supporting role rather than be the main star as the team already has Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts to lead the way.
Tucker wouldn’t feel the need to put the Dodgers on his back and instead could just focus on his game. He is coming off a solid season with the Cubs that saw him hit .266/.377/.464 with 25 doubles, four triples, 22 home runs, 73 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 597 plate appearances across 136 games.
Dodgers interested in signing Kyle Tucker to short-term contract
Last month it was reported the Dodgers had a preference of signing Tucker to a contract that was similar to Alex Bregman’s deal with the Boston Red Sox heading into the 2025 season.
Bregman’s contract with the Red Sox was only for three years and it included an opt-out clause after the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Bregman opted out of the deal after playing one year with the Red Sox and now is a free agent for the second consecutive offseason.
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