The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached an settlement with outfielder Kyle Tucker, CBS Sports activities’ No. 1 ranked free agent, that may pay him $240 million over 4 seasons. The contract has choose outs after the second and third years, a $64 million signing bonus and $30 million in deferrals, which lowers the present-day worth of the contract to $57.1 million per yr, in response to ESPN. The Dodgers haven’t but formally introduced the signing.
In different phrases, Tucker has signed the richest contract on a mean annual worth foundation in Main League Baseball historical past:
- Kyle Tucker, Dodgers, $57.1 million AAV (2026-29)
- Juan Soto, Mets, $51 million AAV (2025-39)
- Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers, estimated $46,081,476 AAV (2024-33)
- Max Scherzer, Mets, $43,333,333 (2022-24)
- Justin Verlander, Mets, $43,333,333 (2023-24)
Winners and losers of the Kyle Tucker signing: Dodgers, Mets, Blue Jays, Cody Bellinger and extra
R.J. Anderson
Tucker, who turns 29 on Saturday, will now re-enter free company forward of his age-33 season if he serves the total phrases with the Dodgers (or earlier if he opts out). Our Mike Axisa just lately broke down why a shorter-term deal would make sense for the All-Star outfielder.
The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets have been believed to be the opposite high contenders to land Tucker’s companies, with the Blue Jays providing a long-term deal and the Mets providing an identical contract to the one he signed with the Dodgers, albeit reportedly for much less cash.
Tucker, 28, hit .266/.377/.464 (143 OPS+) with 22 residence runs and 25 stolen bases in 2025 as a member of the Chicago Cubs. For his profession, he is amassed a 140 OPS+ with 5 consecutive seasons exceeding 4.5 Wins Above Substitute, in response to Baseball Reference’s calculations.
Here is what we wrote after we ranked Tucker as the perfect free agent obtainable this winter, forward of veteran infielders Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette:
Invoice James as soon as theorized that it is higher for a participant’s notion for them to start out scorching and end chilly than the inverse — that means their numbers are extra spectacular for an extended time period. Tucker examined that concept. He entered July sporting a .931 OPS, however from there on he posted an ice-cold .690 mark. His downturn appears related to accidents, particularly the fractured hand he suffered in June. Tucker nonetheless produced his fifth consecutive four-win season, so the form of his yr could show irrelevant to groups in search of a star-level performer who is sweet at all the things (albeit seldom ranked among the many league leaders at something).
Tucker joins a star-studded Dodgers roster that final October grew to become the primary repeat World Collection champions in additional than twenty years. He figures to fit into an outfield that additionally options Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, and Alex Name. The Dodgers have been already projected to have a luxurious tax payroll nearing $350 million, in response to Cot’s Contracts’ estimates. Additionally they added high nearer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million contract earlier this winter.
Predicting the Dodgers lineup with Kyle Tucker: The place does the brand new outfielder match for the champions?
Dayn Perry
In the meantime, the Cubs will obtain draft-pick compensation, having acquired Tucker in a blockbuster commerce final winter with the Houston Astros and having prolonged the $22.025 million qualifying provide.
