The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly one of the teams pursuing free-agent hitter Kyle Tucker. Moreover, the Dodgers’ patience might be putting them in a favorable position for the player who spent last season with the Chicago Cubs.
With spring training approaching, Tucker has yet to sign the big-time contract that would keep him with an organization for the next decade. Furthermore, former MLB general manager Steve Phillips doesn’t see that type of 10-year contract coming for the outfielder, which bodes well for a team like Los Angeles.
“He’s not getting $400 million, and quite honestly, I don’t know that there’s $300 million for him out there,” Phillips said in a Jan. 7 video posted by MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.
“The question is: How long of a deal is he going to get? And does it get to $200 million? Because it may end up being that he has to take the shorter-term deal. He’s not getting the 10-year deal at $35 to $40 million per year. He’s not getting that. There’s no indication it’s out there.”
Phillips also notes that the Dodgers would jump on a short-term deal for Tucker, and so would the Toronto Blue Jays and potentially the New York Mets.
“What we’ve heard, at least based upon what we’ve heard, is the chatter: Dodgers would be in on a very short-term deal. The Blue Jays are in, but the Mets maybe… but the Mets prefer [Cody] Bellinger over Tucker.”
Dodgers Are Reportedly in Three-Team Race for Kyle Tucker
The Dodgers, Mets, and Blue Jays are the three teams heavily linked to Tucker after former MLB general manager Jim Duquette reported on Jan. 6, citing a league source, that the Mets, the Dodgers, and the Blue Jays are the most aggressive suitors for Tucker. Nothing appears imminent, but there’s a clear gap between them and the other teams reportedly interested.
If the Dodgers can get Tucker at their asking price, it would fill a need in the outfield. While the outfield is a weak spot for the reigning back-to-back World Series champions, it’s not enough to overspend. However, if Los Angeles feel like the price fits their budget, they can clearly jump in to land the former Houston Astros player.
Should the Mets Be Seen as the Favorite for Kyle Tucker?
Regarding the other team in what appears to be a three-horse race, the Blue Jays, one insider says that while Toronto has shown interest in Tucker, the Mets remain the outfielder’s top suitor.
“At one point, the Blue Jays looked like the best candidate to give Kyle Tucker a long-term deal,” Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith said on Jan. 5 during an appearance on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “Now, I would say that’s the Mets because, you look at the Mets roster, they have Tyrone Taylor starting in one outfield spot on their projection.
“They have Carson Benge, I had to check that name, starting in one of their other outfield spots. So, clearly, the Mets need to add an outfielder. Kyle Tucker’s out there; the Mets spend like nobody else.”
The Dodgers already solved one of their biggest issues by adding Edwin Diaz to the closer role. Now, their patience could give them a chance to tackle another weakness. If they manage to land both Diaz and potentially Tucker, a three-peat could be very much within reach for Los Angeles.
Dodgers Get Huge Kyle Tucker Contract Take Amid Blue Jays Link