The Los Angeles Dodgers are unlikely to offer free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker a six- or seven-year contract but would consider a shorter three-to-four-year deal with a high annual value, according to a person briefed on the team\'s plans. The structure would mirror Alex Bregman\'s three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox last spring.
Bregman declined longer offers from the Detroit Tigers (six years, $171.5 million) and Chicago Cubs (four years, $120 million) to take higher annual value with the Red Sox before opting out after one season. The Dodgers have historically avoided opt-outs in free-agent contracts but might reconsider that position for Tucker, who is represented by Casey Close.
To sign Tucker, Los Angeles would forfeit their third- and sixth-highest draft picks in 2026, a seemingly minor cost after already sacrificing picks to sign reliever Edwin Diaz. The Dodgers agreed Tuesday with Diaz on a three-year, $69 million contract, forfeiting their second- and fifth-highest selections plus $1 million in international bonus pool space.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged Tuesday the team could add another free agent but emphasized weighing future costs.
\"I would say we definitely can,\" Friedman said when asked if the Dodgers could sign another free agent. \"Whether that makes the most sense within the timing of our roster — there are so many factors that go into it, and any decision you make has a future cost. Weighing that — yes, we can. How likely it is is probably another question.\"
The Dodgers are operating aggressively as baseball enters the final season of its collective bargaining agreement. The next CBA will likely include increased financial restrictions, potentially including a salary cap.
Tucker, described as generally reserved, might fit well in Los Angeles despite the market size. He would rank as perhaps the team\'s fifth or sixth biggest star, providing a relatively low-key environment compared to other major markets.
Last season, Tucker had an .841 OPS with 22 homers following his trade from the Houston Astros to the Cubs.
