The Los Angeles Dodgers have won each of the last two World Series and are looking to become the first team to three-peat as champions since the New York Yankees did it in 1998, 1999, and 2000.
As they prepare for the 2026 MLB season, the Dodgers took a huge step towards making those three-peat dreams become a reality on Thursday night.
Los Angeles was able to agree to terms on a four-year, four-year, $240 million contract. There are opt-outs after years two and three of the deal, a $64 million signing bonus, $30 million deferred, and $57.1 million per year in net present value after the deferrals.
Needless to say, the Dodgers didn’t hold back as they look to continue asserting dominance over the rest of Major League Baseball.
Keeping that in mind, Los Angeles has become a team that MLB fans are mostly sick of signing top-tier talent. Some believe that the Dodgers are killing baseball.
However, one former Yankees catcher spoke out with a take on Los Angeles that many would have a problem with. Erik Kratz made his point on the “Foul Territory Podcast.”
“I think it helps the game,” he said.
Kyle Tucker Is the Ultimate Luxury for the Los Angeles Dodgers
There was no world where the Dodgers actually needed to sign Tucker. Even without him, they were favored by many to win the World Series again in 2026.
Despite the outside perception, Los Angeles never hesitates to add top-tier talent. Tucker is the ultimate luxury signing for the Dodgers.
Last season with the Chicago Cubs, Tucker dealt with some nagging injury issues. He had a bit of a down year, but still produced 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and a slash line of .266/.377/.464.
Over the last couple of years, he has had some injury concerns. However, when Tucker is healthy, he is one of the best players in baseball. Adding him to one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball is simply unfair.
Tucker will pair with names like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Teoscar Hernandez in the Los Angeles lineup.
On the outside looking in, it’s going to be very difficult for the Dodgers to be defeated.
Which Other MLB Teams Are Still Threats to the Dodgers?
At this point in time, there are only a few teams in baseball that truly look like potential World Series contenders who could defeat Los Angeles in a postseason series.
Among those teams are the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and maybe the San Diego Padres.
Plenty of those teams have suffered offseason losses. The Blue Jays lost Bo Bichette, the Yankees are in danger of losing Cody Bellinger, the Mariners lost pieces, the Phillies haven’t made any notable improvements, the Mets lost Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz, and the Cubs lost Tucker. As for the Padres, they lost Dylan Cease.
There are teams who could defeat the Dodgers, but the addition of Tucker makes that task much more difficult.
Los Angeles has to be feeling very good about its chances of winning it all for the third straight season.
Former Yankees Catcher Offers Contentious Take on Dodgers, Kyle Tucker