Dodgers Eye Kyle Tucker as Outfield Search Heats Up, But Contract Demands Loom Large
As the calendar creeps toward the new year, one of baseball’s top free agents remains unsigned - and the Los Angeles Dodgers are very much in the mix. Outfielder Kyle Tucker is still on the market, and while several teams have been linked to the All-Star slugger, the Dodgers are emerging as a legitimate threat to land him. But there’s a catch - and it’s a big one.
The Dodgers are reportedly interested in offering Tucker a short-term deal with a high average annual value (AAV), a structure that would give the 26-year-old a chance to cash in now and potentially hit the market again while still in his prime. But Tucker, understandably, is aiming much higher. He’s said to be seeking a 10-year contract worth north of $300 million - a megadeal that reflects both his production and his age.
That gap in contract structure has created a bit of a standoff. But time may be working in the Dodgers’ favor.
According to reports, the longer Tucker goes without securing a long-term offer, the more appealing a short-term, high-dollar deal in Los Angeles might become. And the Dodgers, who still have some financial flexibility - roughly $43 million under their 2025 payroll mark - have room to maneuver.
If they were to land Tucker, the plan would likely involve shifting Teoscar Hernández to left field and slotting Tucker into right. From a baseball standpoint, it makes sense.
Tucker brings a rare blend of power, plate discipline, and defensive ability. He’s a left-handed bat with the kind of pop that plays anywhere, but especially well in a lineup already stacked with right-handed firepower.
But here’s where things get interesting: the Dodgers also have a wave of young outfield talent knocking on the door. Prospects like Josue De Paula, Eduardo Quintero, Mike Sirota, and Zyhir Hope are all on the rise. That raises a strategic question for L.A.’s front office - is it worth committing to Tucker long term when the farm system is loaded with potential future starters?
That’s why a shorter deal - even at a premium price - could be the sweet spot. It would give the Dodgers a star-caliber outfielder now, while still keeping the long-term path clear for their homegrown talent.
Of course, L.A. isn’t the only team in the hunt. The Mets, Yankees, and Blue Jays have all been linked to Tucker, and each could potentially meet his long-term demands. But with the Winter Meetings in the rearview mirror and the holidays approaching, Tucker remains unsigned - and the Dodgers’ offer, whatever it looks like behind the scenes, is likely becoming more intriguing by the day.
It’s also worth noting that the Dodgers haven’t yet made a move to shore up their outfield. That’s not just a luxury need - it’s a real roster hole. Whether it’s Tucker or another option, they’ll need to add at least one, if not two, quality outfielders to round out the lineup and improve their defensive outlook.
Tucker would be the crown jewel. But the Dodgers are also exploring trade routes that could bring in outfield help at a lower cost - both financially and in terms of years committed.
Bottom line: the Dodgers are in a holding pattern, but not a passive one. They’re weighing their options carefully, and Kyle Tucker remains front and center in that conversation. If the market doesn’t deliver the decade-long deal he’s chasing, don’t be surprised if L.A. swoops in with a high-AAV offer that makes both baseball and business sense - for both sides.