Kyle Tucker contract details: Top free-slugger officially departs from Cubs for two-time defending champion Dodgers

Kyle Tucker contract details: Top free-slugger officially departs from Cubs for two-time defending champion Dodgers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

MLB’s top free-agent bat is off the market.

Former Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker, ranked as the best position player available this offseason, is somewhat stunningly heading to the two-time defending World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, per Jeff Passan.

As a do-it-all outfielder still on the right side of 30, Tucker has locked in a deal to join the Dodgers, MLB’s clear-cut favoriteto win another title in 2026.

Here’s everything to know about Tucker’s new contract.

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Kyle Tucker contract details

Passan reported Thursday night that Tucker was heading to L.A, then added that it will be a four-year, $240 million contract for the outfielder. It reportedly includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons of the deal.

All offseason, the Dodgers were a known fit for Tucker, but it was expected that they would only do a shorter-term, high-AAV contract — exactly like the one Tucker landed. Tucker’s $60 million per year is set to become the second-highest AAV of any contract in baseball, trailing only Shohei Ohtani‘s $70 million, per MLB Trade Rumors.

With that massive per-year dollar amount offered by L.A., Tucker bit on it. It helps that the Dodgers are also seeking to three-peat in 2026, a proven winning organization where plenty of stars have thrived in recent years. Tucker won’t be asked to carry the lineup, but rather drive in runs when pitched to as he provides further star power for Dave Roberts.

Based on his reported opt-outs, Tucker is locked into the 2026 and 2027 season with the Dodgers, but could become a free agent again after then.

After just one season, the deal also means Tucker is officially moving on from the Cubs. Chicago acquired him from the Astros in December 2024, taking a one-year swing on one of the best bats in the league. Tucker hit .266/.377/.464 as an All-Star for a playoff Cubs team this past season, but with Chicago pivoting to Alex Bregman in free agency, Tucker was bound to sign elsewhere.

The highlights of Tucker’s career came in Houston from 2018-24, earning three All-Star nods, a Gold Glove award, two Silver Sluggers and a World Series ring with the Astros. As one of the few players viewed to have a five-tool skill set (average, power, speed, fielding, arm strength), Tucker was expected to be highly-paid this offseason.

Kyle Tucker stats

Here’s a look at Tucker’s career numbers.

Season

Team

Games

AVG

RBI

OPS

2018

Astros

.141

.439

2019

Astros

.269

.857

2020

Astros

.268

.837

2021

Astros

140

.294

.917

2022

Astros

150

.257

107

.808

2023

Astros

157

.284

112

.886

2024

Astros

.289

.993

2025

Cubs

136

.266

.841

Career

—

769

.273

147

490

.865

How old is Kyle Tucker?

Kyle Tucker is 28 years old. He will turn 29 on Jan. 17, 2026.

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Kyle Tucker career timeline

2026-present: Los Angeles Dodgers

Tucker, the No. 5 pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, was brought up in the Astros’ farm system during their prime years as an AL title contender, developing into one of the most consistent outfielders in baseball. With Houston, Tucker won the 2022 World Series and appeared in two other Fall Classics.

However, with the growing possibility that the Astros would not resign him once he hit his 2025 free agency, they traded him to the Cubs after the 2024 season. Chicago wound up using him as a one-year rental, sending Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith to Houston.

Tucker was at the heart of the Cubs’ playoff lineup this past season, but as his free agency approached and the team reached the offseason, it became apparent that he wouldn’t be returning to Chicago. The Cubs made that all but official by inking Bregman to a long-term deal.

Now, Tucker joins the Dodgers for at least the short-term future, as he’s locked into the squad for 2026 and 2027, then reported has opt-outs. If he doesn’t exercise them, Tucker will be in Los Angeles through the 2029 season.

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Kyle Tucker career earnings

According to Spotrac, Tucker has made a total of $40,475,737 in his MLB career so far. Most of that came from the 2025 season, when he made an estimated $16.5 million with the Cubs.

With his reported $240 million deal to join the Dodgers, however, Tucker’s career earnings are about to skyrocket even more.

Kyle Tucker contract details: Top free-slugger officially departs from Cubs for two-time defending champion Dodgers

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