Dodgers Land Diaz and Tucker in Stunning Free Agency Coup - Can Anyone Stop Them in 2026?
The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t just win the offseason - they dominated it. Again.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman admitted he didn’t think this was in the cards. Not even close.
In fact, when the winter began, he figured the odds of landing both Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker were “sub-5%.” And yet, here we are - the Dodgers pulled it off, adding two of the biggest names on the market and sending a message to the rest of the league: the reigning champs aren’t satisfied.
They’re coming for a three-peat.
The Art of the Offseason
Friedman spoke candidly about the balancing act that is MLB free agency. “That’s the trickiest part of every offseason,” he said.
“If you have a Plan A, but Plan B or C is coming off the board at a reasonable price point, how do you weigh that? That’s the art of navigating an offseason.”
That “art” just landed the Dodgers a three-time All-Star closer and one of the premier outfielders in the game.
Let’s break it down. Díaz inked a three-year, $69 million deal back in December, giving L.A. the most electric ninth-inning arm in the league. Then came Tucker - a four-year, $240 million megadeal in January that gives the Dodgers a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat with All-Star pedigree and postseason experience.
These weren’t fallback options. These were top-of-the-board, needle-moving acquisitions. And somehow, the Dodgers made it happen.
Building a Bullpen, Building a Dynasty
Before landing Díaz, the Dodgers were exploring several high-leverage arms. Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, and even Devin Williams were reportedly on their radar. But when Díaz became a real possibility, L.A. didn’t hesitate.
“There were a lot of scenarios where we didn’t necessarily end up with a top-end reliever,” Friedman said after Díaz’s deal. “But we just kind of prepared on a bunch of different fronts. And being aggressive, if something lined up, we’ve known all along (is something we would do).”
That aggression paid off. Díaz brings not only elite velocity and strikeout stuff to the back end of the bullpen, but also postseason experience and a mentality built for October. He’s not just a closer - he’s a closer you trust with your season on the line.
Tucker’s Arrival Changes the Lineup Equation
And then there’s Kyle Tucker - a left-handed bat with serious pop, Gold Glove-caliber defense, and a knack for showing up in big moments. He’s not just a luxury piece. He’s a foundational player.
For a Dodgers team already loaded with star power, Tucker adds a new dimension. He deepens the lineup, stretches opposing pitching staffs, and gives manager Dave Roberts more flexibility than ever. Whether he’s hitting in the two-hole, cleaning up, or floating between spots depending on matchups, Tucker is going to be a problem for pitchers all season long.
Eyes on the Three-Peat
The Dodgers aren’t shying away from what’s at stake. They’ve won back-to-back titles. Now, they’re chasing history.
At Fan Fest, Roberts addressed the elephant in the room - the potential for a three-peat. “I don’t mind the three (titles in a row being) in the air as a carrot, and kind of a north star of focus,” Roberts said. “But I do think that we’re very mindful that there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to get to that point.”
He’s not wrong. A third straight championship would put this Dodgers squad in rarefied air.
It’s the kind of thing that cements legacies and defines eras. And while the road won’t be easy, no team is better positioned to make that run than Los Angeles.
With Díaz locking down the ninth and Tucker adding thunder to the lineup, the Dodgers have once again retooled without rebuilding. They’ve gotten younger, stronger, and even more dangerous.
The rest of the league? They’ve been put on notice. Again.
And if this is the Dodgers’ version of “reloading,” the question heading into 2026 isn’t just can they win it all again? - it’s who’s going to stop them?