The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to enter the 2026 MLB season looking to three-peat as champions. So far this offseason, they have been talked about a lot in the rumor mill.
Kyle Tucker has been one of the names the Dodgers have been connected to heavily. He remains a free agent and his market has not developed as expected. Los Angeles could still swoop in and sign him to bolster the team’s World Series odds even more.
With that being said, the Dodgers have received some bad news about their pursuit of Tucker.
According to Rob Parker in an appearance on MLB Network on January 9, Los Angeles likely will not end up signing Tucker.
“I’m going to say [Kyle Tucker is] not going to the Dodgers,” Parker said.
Kyle Tucker Would Be an Unfair Addition for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last season with the Chicago Cubs, Tucker had a bit of a down year. He dealt with some injury issues and was unable to be as productive as fans have become used to seeing.
In the 136 games he did play in, Tucker hit 22 home runs to go along with 73 RBI and also produced a slash line of .266/.377/.464. Those numbers would give the Dodgers an even more unfair advantage during the 2026 season.
When fully healthy, Tucker is one of the best hitters in baseball. He combines power with an ability to get on base and hit for extra bases. For an already powerful Los Angeles lineup, bringing in Tucker would be a nightmare scenario for opposing pitching staffs.
At one point in time, Tucker was expected to land a contract worth around $400 million. Lately, those projections have dropped down to the $300 range. He may even have to settle for a short-term contract for next year.
Even though Parker has already ruled out the Dodgers when it comes to Tucker, they could still change course and sign him.
What Competition Are the Dodgers Facing for Tucker?
Los Angeles is far from the only team that has been connected to Tucker in free agency.
One of the top rumored teams as a potential landing spot has been the Toronto Blue Jays. Other teams involved include the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees.
Right now, the Yankees and Phillies don’t appear to have great odds of signing Tucker. The Mets are a serious team to watch as a late player in the Tucker sweepstakes.
While the Cubs could still decide to spend big to re-sign him, they have been relatively written off as well. If the Dodgers decided that they wanted Tucker, they could easily become a front-runner to sign him.
Playing in Los Angeles is always an intriguing option. Tucker would immediately put himself in a top-tier position to compete for a championship. At the very least, the Dodgers are a team worth keeping a close eye on in the coming days.
Expect to continue hearing rumors about Tucker as his free agency market continues forward. Los Angeles has been ruled out by some, but the Dodgers may not be officially out yet.
