Dodgers Rumors: Latest On Dodgers’ Potential Pursuit of Kyle Tucker
Multiple insiders suggest that while the Dodgers are among several prominent teams linked to outfielder Kyle Tucker this winter, their likelihood of signing him appears to be low.
LAS VEGAS, NV—It is no secret that the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will undoubtedly be linked to a multitude of top free agents this winter as they look to improve their chances of a three-peat.
Of their offseason needs, none may be bigger than acquiring an outfielder, and wouldn’t you know it, the top free agent of this year’s class is 28-year-old Kyle Tucker, who is projected to get a massive payday.
While the Dodgers are expected to be involved, as they always are, in free-agent negotiations, as shown by their interest in top free-agent outfielder Juan Soto last offseason, their desire to go all out for Tucker reportedly remains low, per multiple MLB insiders.
Just hours into free agency, Alden González of ESPN reported that while the Dodgers are interested in Tucker and his market, they will remain on the periphery.
Fellow ESPN insider Jeff Passan also chimed in on his recent column about the Dodgers’ potential pursuit of Tucker, writing that the Dodgers don’t seem inclined to offer Tucker a 10-plus year contract to the star outfielder after having already so many long-term commitments on the books.
Then, most recently, Dodgers beat writer Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic also reported that while the Dodgers aren’t ruling out a potential Kyle Tucker pursuit, the team is also not opposed to making a short-term solution while waiting for the arrival of their top prospects in Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, and Mike Sirota.
So far this offseason, the Dodgers have pinpointed their two main weaknesses for the 2026 season: needing late-inning relief assistance and an outfielder.
The current outfield alignment would involve Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, and a possible platoon situation between Alex Call and Ryan Ward, who was recently added to the team’s 40-man roster last week.
Ward is a promising candidate to fill the outfield gap, as the 27-year-old minor leaguer had a career year with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, winning PCL MVP—only the second Dodgers prospect to earn this honor in the past three seasons.
Tommy Edman might be a strong candidate for the center field position, but since General Manager Brandon Gomes confirmed that the utilityman will have right ankle surgery next week, his role could initially be limited to infield duties at the start of the season.
The team might re-sign either Michael Conforto (who is doubtful) or Kiké Hernández, and also consider a short 1-year option for former San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, who posted strong numbers in the second half of the season with the Kansas City Royals.
The trade market also includes the Dodgers, who have already been linked to Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale.
Kwan, 28, has two more years of arbitration and is estimated to earn around $8 million this year via MLB Trade Rumors estimations, which would be a significant bargain for the high-payroll Dodgers.
However, Kwan’s years of control, his price, and the type of player he is mean it’ll be a high asking price, likely requiring the Dodgers to trade several top prospects.
Dalton Rushing, the team’s former number one overall prospect, is the team’s biggest trade chip and could be used as the headliner to complete a number of trade packages.
Other options for the Dodgers could also include Lars Nootbar or Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and possibly Wilyer Abreu or Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox.
Although the Dodgers have made significant free-agent signings in consecutive years, they generally avoid contracts extending beyond 10 years. They have broken this pattern for Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but these were exceptional cases. Ohtani is considered the top player worldwide, and Yamamoto was a 25-year-old ace.
The most recent player to secure a long-term contract from Andrew Friedman was 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts. He signed a 12-year, $365 million extension after being acquired from the Red Sox during the 2020 offseason.
Tucker is a talented player, but he’s not the type of free agent who is highly unique. The Dodgers are likely open to offering a five- or six-year contract with a high average annual value if Tucker chooses that option. However, it’s reasonable to think his representatives will attempt to secure a ten-plus-year deal early in the offseason.
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