The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays are seemingly the top three teams in the sweepstakes to sign superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker away from the Chicago Cubs.
But the Dodgers are reportedly only willing to offer Tucker a three or four-year deal, though the average annual value would seemingly be higher.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Wednesday reported that Tucker would be unwilling to sign such a contract this offseason, which is bad news for the Dodgers.
“Prediction: The Dodgers will make a bid for Tucker, and are willing to pay in excess of $30 million a year, but only on a short-term contract,” Nightengale wrote. “They have no interest in giving him the nine- or 10-year deal he’s seeking. And Tucker has no interest in signing a deal that won’t carry him through the rest of his career.”
The Dodgers were looked at as the favorites for Tucker at one point, but it now seems like they’re not going to contend in his free agency after all.
This is good news for the Yankees and Blue Jays, who are left fighting over Tucker this offseason. Both American League East teams could offer massive eight or nine-year contracts to bring the slugger to their roster. This would be another move to bolster the AL East this winter after players like Sonny Gray, Dylan Cease, and Pete Alonso have already joined the division.
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