Kyle Tucker is headed west-and he’s doing it with one of the biggest bags in MLB history. The All-Star outfielder has agreed to a four-year, $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a contract that not only includes opt-outs after years two and three, but also sets a new present value average annual value (AAV) record at $57.1 million, even with $30 million in deferrals. That’s a massive deal, even by Dodgers standards.
Tucker’s free agency was one of the more polarizing storylines of the offseason-not because of his talent, which is undeniable, but because of the questions that seemed to follow him at every stop along the way. The Toronto Blue Jays were reportedly the only team to offer him a true long-term deal, while the New York Mets made a strong push with a four-year, $220 million offer that ultimately came up short. The Cubs, interestingly, never seriously re-entered the conversation, despite having traded for Tucker just a year prior.
Instead, the Cubs were reportedly more interested in bringing back Cody Bellinger, a move that speaks volumes about how they viewed Tucker’s fit in the clubhouse and on the field moving forward. According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs simply didn’t see Tucker as a priority this winter.
And that brings us to the elephant in the room: the rumors and whispers that have swirled around Tucker this offseason. From national outlets to local Chicago media, questions have surfaced about his drive, his passion for the game, and whether he truly has that “burn” to play-something that, fair or not, can shape how teams view a big-ticket free agent.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post put it plainly during a December podcast appearance: “Does Tucker burn to play?” Sherman said.
“I know Cody Bellinger burns to play. I think there are some questions about the motor and the desire of someone like Tucker.”
Sherman noted that multiple organizations had voiced similar concerns to him.
Tucker’s 2025 season with the Cubs was a tale of two halves. He came out of the gate on fire, putting up top-five numbers across MLB through the first three months of the season.
But a fractured finger changed everything. The injury forced him to alter his mechanics at the plate, and the results were dramatic.
Over the next month, Tucker struggled mightily-at times looking like one of the least effective hitters in baseball. Then came a calf strain in September that sidelined him for three weeks, further limiting his impact down the stretch.
Still, he finished the year with a 4.5 fWAR across 136 games-solid production by any measure. But after missing most of 2024 with a shin fracture during his final season in Houston, durability and consistency have become fair questions.
And when you’re signing a contract worth $60 million a year, fair questions tend to get amplified.
One comparison that keeps popping up is to Anthony Rendon, whose massive deal with the Angels has become a cautionary tale of what happens when talent doesn’t match availability-or perceived engagement. The term “Anthony Rendon Syndrome” has even been floated in connection with Tucker, a label that’s not exactly easy to shake.
But let’s be clear: Tucker doesn’t need to be the guy in Los Angeles. That’s part of what makes this move intriguing.
The Dodgers are loaded with stars-Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani-and Tucker slides in as another elite piece rather than the face of the franchise. That might be exactly what he needs.
Not every player thrives under the weight of being the guy, and in L.A., he won’t have to be.
For the Cubs, the decision to move on is a calculated one. They’ve taken heat in the past for not spending on top-tier free agents, but this time, it’s hard to argue they made the wrong call.
Tucker’s time in Chicago had flashes of brilliance, but it also came with red flags-injuries, inconsistency, and lingering questions about his fire. That’s not the profile of a player you build a franchise around, especially not at that price point.
So while it’s never easy to watch a player of Tucker’s caliber walk out the door-especially to a team like the Dodgers-it’s not exactly a gut punch either. The Cubs took their shot, got a year of high-ceiling production, and decided to pivot. And given the context, that might’ve been the smart play.
Now it’s up to Tucker to prove the doubters wrong in Los Angeles. If he stays healthy and finds his rhythm in that stacked Dodgers lineup, he could be a game-changer. But if the questions that followed him out of Chicago continue to linger, this deal could be remembered for more than just its dollar signs.