Kyle Tucker drew interest from several teams before choosing the Los Angeles Dodgers. The New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays were in the mix, but both came up short against the reigning back-to-back World Series champions.
On Jan. 15, ESPN reported, citing sources, that Tucker’s deal is for four years at $240 million and includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons. Moreover, the outlet informed that the outfielder’s contract with the Dodgers includes $30 million in deferred money.
Furthermore, ESPN reported that, to offset those deferrals, Los Angeles also rewarded Tucker with a $64 million signing bonus, $54 million of which will be paid up front.
As a result of the money from the Dodgers, former MLB player Whit Merrifield shared insider information that Los Angeles beat out Toronto for the former Chicago Cubs standout.
“When [Tucker] signed, his agent texted me and was like, ‘Hey, Kyle really wanted to go to Toronto,'” Merrifield said on the Jan. 21 edition of the “6ix Inning Stretch Podcast. “The Jays offered him ten years for [$350 million], which ended up coming out. They needed, I felt like they needed a little bit more based on Kyle and his market and comparables. Toronto just wasn’t willing to do more than [$35 million] a year.
“Everyone has a value for different players. Toronto felt that his value was [$35 million] a year for ten years, which is an incredible offer. The Dodgers came in and said about [$60 million] a year. It’s hard to say no to that, but I love his swing. He’s a gold glove defender. He’s a good athlete. I think he deserved a lot of money. Again, [$60 million] a year is crazy to think about. Just didn’t work.”
Kyle Tucker Talks Decision to Join Dodgers
On Jan. 21, Tucker was presented to the media in Los Angeles, and one of the questions the former Houston Astros star received was about his decision to join the Dodgers, leading the Mets and Blue Jays to be rejected.
“I mean, there’s a lot of great ball clubs out there with great teams, and they all have unique things that make them great,” Tucker said (h/t Dodgers Nation). “But, like I said, I think this organization from the top down is first class, and the team that these guys put together and assembled to give a great product for the fan base in the city to go out there and compete for a championship kind of speaks for itself.
“Just kind of taking everything into account and wanting to be a part of that, I think, is very special. You don’t really get that very often. It’ll be a lot of fun playing with these guys and competing for another, hopefully a three-peat here.”
Dodgers Reveal Reason for Signing Kyle Tucker
Tucker has eight MLB seasons under his belt, playing for the Astros and Cubs, and has compiled a .273 batting average with 748 hits, 147 home runs, 490 RBIs, and 456 runs scored, per StatMuse. He has earned one Gold Glove, two Silver Sluggers, and was part of a World Series–winning team.
Moreover, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes revealed why Los Angeles felt that moving in for Tucker was the right move for them.
“Kyle being one of the few free agents we felt could really impact our club, we stayed in contact throughout the offseason to make sure we were expressing interest,” Gomes said. “If there was something that made sense for both sides, we would have the ability to bring him on board. And like all of these things, the incredible support from our ownership group to give back to the fans [who] are coming out, and in the packs of four million last year.
“I think we felt like let’s continue to pour into them and to the team, and when we had the opportunity to do it, and this was a real chance to fill a hole that would really impact our team, we did it. It was one of those things where we were kind of waiting around and being in contact, and then it came together pretty quickly over probably five to seven days.”
Dodgers Get Insider News on Edging Blue Jays for Kyle Tucker