The Dodgers didn’t just reload this offseason - they added another All-Star weapon to an already stacked arsenal. Shohei Ohtani, the face of the franchise and arguably the most dynamic player in baseball, had high praise for his new teammate Kyle Tucker, and for good reason.
“He’s a great batter, and he’s a great defender as well,” Ohtani said during an appearance on Dodger Talk. “He can hit, he can run, he can play defense - he’s got it all.”
That’s not just lip service. Tucker, who signed a four-year, $240 million deal with Los Angeles in January, was one of the most coveted free agents on the market. The Dodgers didn’t just fill a need in the outfield - they landed one of the most complete players in the game.
A Consistent Force at the Plate
Since breaking out in 2021 with a 30-homer, 92-RBI campaign, Tucker has been one of the most reliable offensive threats in baseball. He’s made the All-Star team every year since that breakout season and has cleared the 20-homer mark in each of those years. Add in two Silver Sluggers (2023, 2025) and multiple MVP vote finishes (2021-2023), and you’ve got a player with the résumé - and the production - to back it up.
Even in 2025, when he played through a hairline fracture in his hand, Tucker still found ways to contribute. He launched 22 home runs, drove in 73 runs, and posted an .841 OPS across 136 games. That’s not just playing through pain - that’s producing at a high level while doing it.
Elite Defense to Match
Tucker isn’t just a bat in the lineup - he’s a glove in the field. Since becoming an everyday player in 2021, he’s consistently graded out as a plus defender.
Aside from a league-average showing in 2025 (likely influenced by the hand injury), he’s been a steady presence in the outfield. His 2022 season - when he made his first All-Star appearance and won a Gold Glove - was a showcase of what he brings on both sides of the ball.
A Dangerous Duo at the Top
Manager Dave Roberts has already hinted that Tucker will hit second or third in the Dodgers’ 2026 lineup, which means he’ll be paired with Ohtani near the top. That’s a nightmare scenario for opposing pitchers. Ohtani’s game-changing power and plate discipline, combined with Tucker’s all-around offensive toolkit, gives L.A. one of the most dangerous 1-2 punches in baseball.
And let’s not forget: this is a Dodgers team coming off a World Series title. With Tucker in the fold, they’re not just aiming to repeat - they’re chasing history. A three-peat would be a first for the franchise, and adding a player of Tucker’s caliber shows they’re all-in on making that happen.
Bottom line: Kyle Tucker is more than just a big-name signing. He’s a proven star in his prime who fits perfectly into a championship-caliber roster. And with Ohtani already singing his praises, the Dodgers’ newest addition is poised to make a major impact in 2026.