Image Source: R.J. Anderson
Key Takeaways:
- The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed outfielder Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract with opt-outs after the second and third years.
- The contract has a $64 million signing bonus and $30 million in deferrals, lowering the present-day value to $57.1 million per year.
- Tucker’s deal is the richest contract on an average annual value basis in Major League Baseball history.
- The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets were also in contention for Tucker’s services, with the Blue Jays offering a long-term deal and the Mets offering a similar contract for less money.
- Tucker will join a star-studded Dodgers roster that includes Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, and Alex Call.
Introduction to the Signing
The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a significant splash in the free agent market, signing outfielder Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract. According to ESPN, the contract includes opt-outs after the second and third years, a $64 million signing bonus, and $30 million in deferrals, which lowers the present-day value of the contract to $57.1 million per year. This deal makes Tucker the highest-paid player on an average annual value basis in Major League Baseball history, surpassing Juan Soto’s $51 million per year deal with the Mets. As noted by CBS Sports, "Tucker has signed the richest contract on an average annual value basis in Major League Baseball history."
The Player’s Background
Tucker, who turns 29 on Saturday, had a standout season with the Chicago Cubs in 2025, hitting.266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs and 25 stolen bases. He has consistently been one of the top players in the league, with a 140 OPS+ and five consecutive seasons exceeding 4.5 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference’s calculations. As Mike Axisa noted, "Tucker tested that idea [that it’s better for a player’s perception to start hot and finish cold]… He entered July sporting a.931 OPS, but from there on he posted an ice-cold.690 mark."
Impact on the Dodgers
The signing of Tucker is a significant addition to the Dodgers’ already star-studded roster, which includes Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, and Alex Call. The Dodgers were already projected to have a luxury tax payroll nearing $350 million, according to Cot’s Contracts’ estimates. With the addition of Tucker, the team’s payroll is likely to exceed that mark. As Dayn Perry noted, "The Dodgers were already projected to have a luxury tax payroll nearing $350 million… They also added top closer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million contract earlier this winter."
Reaction from Other Teams
The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets were also in contention for Tucker’s services, with the Blue Jays offering a long-term deal and the Mets offering a similar contract for less money. The Cubs, who acquired Tucker in a blockbuster trade last winter with the Houston Astros, will receive draft-pick compensation for losing him to free agency. As R.J. Anderson noted, "The Blue Jays and Mets were believed to be the other top contenders to land Tucker’s services… The Blue Jays offered a long-term deal, while the Mets offered a similar contract to the one he signed with the Dodgers, albeit reportedly for less money."
Contract Details
The contract includes a $64 million signing bonus and $30 million in deferrals, which lowers the present-day value of the contract to $57.1 million per year. The deal also includes opt-outs after the second and third years, allowing Tucker to potentially become a free agent again before the age of 33. As ESPN noted, "The contract has a $64 million signing bonus and $30 million in deferrals, which lowers the present-day value of the contract to $57.1 million per year."
Conclusion
The signing of Kyle Tucker is a significant move for the Los Angeles Dodgers, adding another star player to their already impressive roster. The contract is the richest on an average annual value basis in Major League Baseball history, and it will be interesting to see how Tucker performs in his new role with the Dodgers. As CBS Sports noted, "Tucker joins a star-studded Dodgers roster that last October became the first repeat World Series champions in more than two decades."
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-kyle-tucker-free-agency-contract/
