I have never doubted that Kyle Tucker makes sense for the Dodgers. The only thing I have questioned is the price. I do not think that the Dodgers will be high bidders. Nor do I think they will sign him for more than 10 years. I believe that 10 Years/$360 Million is in their wheelhouse, but that could go up if he wants to defer some money. Mookie, Freddie, Shohei, Will, and Teoscar all have deferred money. In my opinion, Kyle Tucker is not a superstar, but he is close! To be a superstar, you need to have a career OPS over .900, He sits at .865.
He is LH and is not strikeout-prone. That would be ideal in the Dodgers lineup. In 697 plate appearances, he struck out 88 times. In about the same number of at-bats, Ohtani struck out 187 times. Pages – 135, Teoscar -134, Freddie – 128. Max would have been at about 150 with the same number of ABs. So would Will. Tucker’s bat would play well in the lineup. OK… look at the lineup:
- Ohtani DH
- Betts SS
- Freeman 1B
- Tucker RF
- Muncy 3B
- Smith C
- Pages CF
- Teoscar LF
- Kim/Rojas 2B
That, my friends, is what is called a “deep lineup!” Of course, the alleged pundits say there is little chance the Dodgers sign Tucker. Never forget that they are usually wrong! However, if they don’t sign Tucker, then anything can happen and for the record, I am fine with Pages in CF. So is Kike!
The Dodgers front office will likely sign a reliever who does not have the Qualifying Offer attached, such as Peter Fairbanks, but with all the arms they have, I don’t think they have to. That, however, is a story for another day.
Discussion (14)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Which pundits say there is “little chance” that the Dodgers sign Tucker?
I’ve seen articles that say the Dodgers are the front-runner among the very few teams that can afford him. Maybe Tucker would prefer NYC or Toronto or Philly or whatever. Maybe he doesn’t want to be in Shohei’s shadow. But if he wants to win rings, he knows that one destination is head and shoulders above the rest.
I don’t like the pricetag, and I think writing fat checks is boring compared to wheeling and dealing. The Dodgers committed more than $1 billion to Shohei and Yamamoto in long-term deals, so why should another fat check surprise anybody?
And there are a couple of reasons why Tucker makes sense for the Dodgers.
First, he’s 28 years old and a proven star who should be productive for years to come–and this production would help cushion the inevitable declines of Freddie, Max and Mookie. Even Shohei and Will Smith, while clearly in their prime, are on the allegedly “wrong” side of 30.
Second, Tucker doesn’t strike out much and takes his walks. In that respect, he’s sort of like Kwan–but with a lot more power. In fact, I’d be tempted to bat Tucker second because of his plate discipline.
So maybe….
Shohei
Tucker
Mookie
Freddie
Will/Rushing
Max/Rojas
Teo/Call (defensive replacement)
Pages/Edman
Kim/Edman
But the Dodgers could save about $350 million by dealing for Buxton and signing Bader. And the brass might do that if they think Murakami should be a Dodger.
I would like to see Ohtani sit out day after pitching. Let him rest and available to pinch hit
Bhagwan is coming
“Dodgers utilityman Kiké Hernández had surgery on Friday to repair a torn muscle in his elbow. The veteran announced the procedure in an Instagram post. Hernández said he suffered the injury in May and played through it the rest of the season, which led to the elbow tendon detaching from the bone”.
Love this site and many thanks to Mark. Dodger fans are the best, and many comments are well thought of, and some are pretty amusing. I have followed this site for years and is the first website I look at every morning. This is the best time to be a Dodgers fan. I grew up going to Dodgers games back in the 60’s and now live in AZ. I worked at Camelback during spring training in 2025 and it was crazy. Beatlemania was a couple of years before my time. It was Dodgers mania at Camelback in 2025. The Dodgers are a first-class organization, and all of the players were good guys.
Tucker, Williams & a random bench guy [Castro?] willing to sign with us on the cheap to get a ring.
As i posted yesterday, Ohtani could easily contend for the Cy Young award cif he didn’t hit. he could put up 50-60 homers and drive in 130 if he doesn’t pitch. doing both is crazy, but he wants to do it so he gets what he wants. As long as he produces, the front office will be happy. But he was worn down in the world series.!
Kyle Tucker? if they sign him it would be a bonus for the dodgers! So would Cody. Kwan sort of makes sense, but can he play right or center? Teo( unless traded) needs to go to left!! Teo and Emmit straight up for Kwan? yay or nay?
Hopefully tommy edman is completely healthy for next season! i would love to see him play all over the field at the level he’s capable of. if healthy and being used as a super utility guy, they probably would let Kike walk. Sad, but as valuable as Kike has been, he ain’t getting any younger. Edman has ss much versatility and probably a better hitter. Not taking anything away from Kike, he’s been a Godsend for the dodgers! I still believe he or Rojas will be gone.
wonder who takes a chance on Gonsolin? i believe there’s still some life in that right arm! Hopefully not in san diego or frisco!
watched the thing on Arod the other night. What a talented guy he was. what a douche bag he was(still is)! He absolutely loves himself! But he was as good a player as anyone in baseball. Too bad he wasn’t as good a person! Sure makes it hard to watch Fox’s pregame and postgame shows during the playoffs. Just goes to show you that good guys don’t always finish first or get the best jobs. just like bonds and clemens, deserves to be in the hall of fame for what they did before the cheating, but they will wait for that call that may never come. if they get in? i don’t really care anymore. It’s kind of like the rock and roll hall of fame. They let you in when they think you’ve gotten over it or you’re dead! Bad Company gets in this year . Paul Rogers is having health issues and can’t attend the ceremony. Weren’t they as good as last year as they are this year? Just like Billy Wagner. Why did it take so long? I guess “Hall of Fame “. just doesn’t mean as much as it used too!
I love your lineup and rationale for signing Tucker. (Mark) We have a bunch of money coming off the books. Teo has 2 more years and one of our wonderful outfield prospects should work into his spot in ’27. Our pitching staff is sooooo deep. A shutdown closer would be nice. Not sure Tanner can handle that pressure. I don’t know if Devin Williams or Robert Suarez are the answer either. Someone mentioned River Ryan being groomed to close. He certainly has the electric stuff. It’d be rather risky counting on an unproven arm, being our go to guy though. 2026 looks exciting whichever way we turn…
Mark–You are dead on the money. Let’s keep this real simple: The Dodgers need an impact OF and Tucker is sitti g right there on the open market and could fit within our budget.
This is the golden era of Dodger baseball. Ohtani has helped bring in two championships in his first two years with eight years left. Friedman knows the window is now to add another 3+ championships.
Tucker would be a perfect addition to the lineup, batting anywhere from #3-#5 with power and patience. He doesn’t block anyone as Teo just slides to LF. Pages in CF is more than adequate and you happily deal with JDP, Hope, Sirota & Quintero when they come.
It’s cleaner than a trade and even at a 10y/$400m price tag it doesn’t affect that much because of our existing pitching depth and our deep deep pockets. A top reliever is really all we need to add after Tucker.
One potential counterargument is the aging infield, which is a concern. Edman locks in at 2B and we might have to trade for a 3B at some point to bridge the gap to Harlan/Morales/Vargas. I’m assuming JDP winds up at 1B and there’s also the Will Smith factor.
With so many ideas flying around, Tucker solves so many problems, namely the underreported deep slump our offense went through during the World Series. That can’t happen again.
I have to ask Mark and others who comment: Is it at all possible that Ohtani could be convinced to just hit and not pitch? They have multiple young arms to choose from for the sixth spot in the rotation and have Roki for the fifth spot (they could even sign a sixth starter). Ohtani seems to lose his hitting edge when he is pitching, and I think that makes a big difference. Plus, he is getting older and the longer we can stretch his career the better. I want him to just focus on hitting.
I don’t want Tucker. Too many quality OF prospects in the system that are 2 or 3 years at the most away. I would trade for Kwan of the Indians.
The Dodger cash machine SHOULD sign anyone they feel is needed and use the money coming off the books because the owners at the next CBA after the lockout next offseason will try to prohibit the Dodgers in what they do in spending in the future with greater tax penalties or other restrictions. I’m sure they will also look into the Japanese market for players which the Dodgers have cornered and try to change the present system.
I occasionally turn on WFAN in NY an all sports radio station and the hate for the Dodgers is real by the callers in and the hosts. The general conversation is that they think MLB lets the Dodgers do whatever they want with the largest payroll and deferred money. All owners if they choose to do so can defer salaries but they are so stupid and rather line their pockets than put a winning team on the field.
Buxton has played over 100 games in a season just 3 times in 11 years. He will be 32 next season, and he’s more likely to be injured! Hard NO!
I like tucker!
i like bellinger!
i like kwan!
i like teo in left!
i like the idea of pete fairbanks!
doesn’t matter what i like!
i do believe that AF & BG will acquire a good hitting, good fielding outfielder. I asked the question, “what about Buxton?”. So Mark, would you? i wouldn’t mind it if the price was right! i know his health is an issue, he could probably stay healthier if he got regular rest. Interested?
is it possible that the dodgers don’t bring back one or both of Kike & Rojas? i think there’s a good chance that at least one doesn’t get an offer. Which one do they value most?
I wish the pirates would do something to squish the Skeenes situation! Trade him or make a statement. Add some good players to be competitive, or make the big one! Same in Detroit!
i