Kyle Tucker’s free agency is poised to be the top storyline of the offseason, and the Chicago Cubs face an uphill battle to bring him back this winter. Historically, the Cubs have never handed out a contract worth over $200 million, while The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently projected Tucker could sign for a staggering $427 million. This price tag makes a return to Chicago seem unlikely.
A recent poll conducted by MLB.com asked 46 voters where they thought Tucker would sign. The Los Angeles Dodgers emerged as the top team in the poll, with 50 percent of voters predicting Tucker would join them. “Half of our voters think the No. 1 free agent in this year’s class will end up on the No. 1 team in the land — and the vast majority think his time in Chicago will come to an end after one year,” MLB’s Mark Feinsand wrote.
Currently, Teoscar Hernández has manned right field for the Dodgers over the past couple of seasons. However, as the reigning World Series champs, the Dodgers could easily move Hernández to left field — a position that saw limited production last year — to make room for Tucker at his natural spot in right field.
Despite injuries in the second half of last season—a right hand fracture and a left calf strain—Tucker still posted a stellar .266/.377/.464 slash line with 22 home runs, 25 steals, and a 136 wRC+ over 136 games. At 28 years old, Tucker has topped 4.0 fWAR for five consecutive seasons, and his 23.4 fWAR since the start of 2021 ranks 10th in the majors.
Tucker would be a perfect fit with the Dodgers, filling their most significant offensive hole in the outfield in a major way. The Dodgers made a small effort to acquire Juan Soto last offseason, demonstrating they still have ample financial flexibility. Offering Tucker a $400 million contract would solidify the Dodgers as a baseball dynasty.
The fit becomes even more appealing if Tucker is open to taking some deferred money in his deal, a strategy several Dodgers players have embraced in the past. This financial flexibility could help both Tucker and the Dodgers find common ground in negotiations.
https://www.newsweek.com/dodgers-favored-to-sign-427m-superstar-free-agent-after-world-series-win-11012108
