A $500 million big fish is floating in Dodgerland. The Los Angeles Dodgers sure look to repeat as champions in 2025. While they’ve got their eyes on the championship ring, they intend to stay one step ahead. They have their sights on the league’s brightest star, who comes with a $500 million price tag. The whispers from inside the organization suggest that after Shohei Ohtani, the team plans to make another blockbuster move.
You must have picked up the name by the price tag. Yes, Kyle Tucker, it is. The Chicago Cubs’ star outfielder, who is all the league can talk about amidst the looming free agency. Tucker has been the driving force for the Cubs (24-17) over this season. Over 40 games, his batting average sits at .276 with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs and a .932 OPS.
We’re almost in the mid-stretch of the season, and Tucker has successfully boosted the Cubs’ playoff hopes. Well, they do wish to sign him to the contract extension, but you see, the richest contract currently in the Cubs’ history is Jason Heyward’s for 7 years and $184 million.
So, can the Cubs really afford to sign the extension to Tucker for his projected price tag? That being said, Bob Nightengale from USA Today noted that the Dodgers will surely go after Tucker this winter. They may not bid as high as they did with Juan Soto but they will fairly stay competitive.
Before Soto signed with the New York Mets, he was in negotiation talks with the Yankees, the Dodgers, the Red Sox and the Blue Jays. Safe to say that the four-time All-Star was on everybody’s radar last year but his clear choice was the Mets.
And now, Tucker is being drawn into comparison with Soto. When Tucker tests the free agency waters, the Dodgers will be right there to do what they’re best at – stacking up star players. Moreover, the Dodgers can comfortably meet his $500 million tag.
Are the Dodgers ready to afford Kyle Tucker?
Unlike the Cubs, the Dodgers look more flexible to sign Kyle Tucker in the free agency. They have had one of the highest payrolls in major league baseball, which reflects their ownership commitment to investing big in their players. The Dodgers’ current payroll sits at a whopping $319.5 million, calculated by AP. The last off-season, the Dodgers spent more than $450 million on players’ contracts.
So, they clearly have a healthy business model that puts them in a better position than the Cubs to sign Tucker. Not to forget their high-salaried players such as Shohei Ohtani Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. And the Dodgers have always been known for their flexibility in fitting the profile of a key piece that could help them in the long term.
So, the Dodgers can definitely afford Tucker given the team’s flexibility and Tucker’s strong bat and competitive core. Now, as far as their outfield setup is concerned, the Dodgers can make the most of Tucker.
You see, Andy pages is already good with center field duties, so he will continue to do so. When the Dodgers add Tucker, it would certainly mean moving Teoscar Hernandez back to left field. All signs point to Tucker being able to fit effortlessly in their lineup. They could make the best use of his outfield experience and proven talent.
However, the Dodgers’ worst-case scenario will be if Tucker decides to stay in Chicago. It is unlikely but definitely a possibility. Cause, why would the Cubs want to let go of the player who has changed the dynamics of the team for good? Only reason would be if they fail to pay him for his value. Then, the Dodgers will have an edge to get him in.
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