The Los Angeles Dodgers reinforced what was already one of the best lineups in baseball when they signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract during the offseason.
Tucker joins a star-studded group that includes former MVP winners Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, as well as fellow All-Stars Will Smith, Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernández.
The low-key Tucker reportedly liked the idea of signing with the Dodgers because he did not want to have the pressure of being the main star on a team.
Tucker has blended in well with his teammates so far and said he is trying to do his part to help the organization win its third consecutive World Series, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I mean, every organization is unique in its own sense,” said Tucker, on his third organization in three years, having gone from the Houston Astros to the Chicago Cubs by trade and then to the Dodgers on a four-year, $240 million free-agent contract. “This organization, obviously, the last couple of years has done pretty well. So I think that’s a huge part of the front office, and them doing their part and trying to get a great group together, just great people and great athletes, and then try and just put the best product out on field for the city of Los Angeles and the fans. So I think they’ve done a pretty good job of that so far.
“I try and go out and play my game, regardless of the situation. So I just try and do my part here and do the same that I’ve done every other year.”
Tucker is coming off a solid 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs that saw him hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 homers and 73 RBI in 136 games. He earned a fourth consecutive All-Star selection and won his second career Silver Slugger Award.
Tucker is also a former Gold Glove winner and has three top-20 MVP finishes, including 2023 when he placed fifth in American League voting while still a member of the Houston Astros.
Tucker is expected to bat second in the Dodgers lineup this season and should be one of the team’s most productive left-handed hitters.
Dave Roberts sees Kyle Tucker as potential MVP candidate
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Tucker’s five-tool ability and believes he can emerge as a National League MVP candidate in 2026.
“I think there’s another Gold Glove in there,” Roberts said of Tucker. “I think having a lot of people around him, I think there’s more runs scored in there. I think he’s going to have the ability to drive in runs.
“As a coach, you’re trying to make players better. He’s a five-tool player, he loves to compete, loves to play the game, he pours into the community, he’s a smart player, he likes to play, he posts. There’s an inner fire I’ve seen.
“I vetted him with other coaches and managers, which made me personally excited when Andrew and Gomer said this might be a possibility. So I think for me, the coaching staff, we’re just going to try to continue to make him better. Whatever it takes.
“But I do think that Kyle’s mindset on the micro, the day-to-day, just winning a baseball game, that is in line with what we do. Do I think an MVP candidate? Absolutely. Do I think he can win a Gold Glove? Absolutely.”
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