The Los Angeles Dodgers are the two-time reigning World Series champions, but that doesn’t mean that the club isn’t going to look to add even more firepower to the organization this offseason.
That’s how the Dodgers have gotten to this point. Los Angeles’ front office does not get complacent. Last year, the Dodgers won the World Series and followed up by signing Blake Snell and Rōki Sasaki, among other moves. Now, the offseason is here and the Dodgers could use a boost in the outfield.
Over the last few weeks, Los Angeles has continously floated as a fit for Chicago Cubs star Kyle Tucker and ESPN’s David Schoenfield added some more fuel to the fire by calling Los Angeles the “best fit” for Tucker this offseason.
“Best fit: Los Angeles Dodgers,” Schoenfield said. “If healthy, Tucker would have led this list in WAR — he was hitting .291/.395/.537 for the Chicago Cubs at the end of June when he suffered a fracture in his right hand, which he tried to play through. But he hit just .225 the rest of the way. Indeed, he’s projected to get the biggest contract of the offseason, perhaps as much as $400 million.
“As good as he has been, there are some Anthony Rendon vibes here: Tucker has now been injured two years in a row (he also missed much of September with a calf injury); he’s turning 29; his speed/range Statcast metrics aren’t great (26th percentile in both categories); and he’s not a ‘face of the franchise’ type of personality, which you normally expect for $400 million.
“Could the Dodgers absorb another huge contract? Well, why not? The Dodgers are the best fit of ‘will spend money’ and ‘have need,’ considering they got nothing from left field in 2025 and suddenly have concerns about Mookie Betts’ long-term impact at the plate after his subpar (for him) season.”
Los Angeles clearly doesn’t need Tucker to have success. But the Dodgers continue to win and invest in the organization further. The Dodgers have won two straight titles and would likely be the favorite to do it again next year if they didn’t make a single move this offseason and could just run it back.
But that’s not what the Dodgers do. Last year, there were rumors about the Dodgers and Juan Soto, although those obviously didn’t come to fruition.
Some complain about the Dodgers’ spending habits. But in a sport with a hard salary cap, any team could do what the Dodgers are doing. They invest in their organization and get creative with how money is spent right now, and what cash is deferred to the future.
The chatter about the Dodgers and Tucker should make no sense. They have superstars all over the place and a massive payroll already. But they have continued to add even when it seems impossible. An insider like Schoenfield suggesting the fit, just legitimizes the noise even more.
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