Kyle Tucker joining Dodgers on massive contract as MLB champs strike again

Kyle Tucker, the top slugger and most coveted player on this year’s free agent market, startled the baseball industry with a destination that’s become all too familiar to those finishing out of the money for a player’s services: The two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tucker spurned the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets and instead agreed to terms Jan. 15 with the Dodgers on a four-year, $240 million contract, a person familiar with the agreement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by ESPN, has not been finalized. Tucker’s contract will include opt-outs after the second and third years.

Tucker, who turns 29 in January, was undeniably the top free agent this winter after first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Blue Jays. And after the Blue Jays reached Game 7 of the World Series and signaled their intention to remain aggressive, they appeared to be the frontrunner for Tucker’s services.

Instead, the Dodgers – who just more than two months ago vanquished the Blue Jays in an unforgettable World Series Game 7 – prevailed again.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

In 2025, Kyle Tucker spent one season with the Chicago Cubs. He had a .266 batting average with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

In 2025, Kyle Tucker spent one season with the Chicago Cubs. He had a .266 batting average with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

Kyle Tucker steals second base as Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner applies the tag at Wrigley Field on April 25, 2025.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

Chicago Cubs left fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) celebrates with Kyle Tucker after hitting a three-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 24, 2025.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

Kyle Tucker hits an RBI sacrifice fly ball during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on July 6, 2025.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

On Dec. 13, 2024, Kyle Tucker was traded by the Houston Astros to the Chicago Cubs for Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith and Hayden Wesneski.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

Kyle Tucker walks out of the dugout and onto the field before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park on May 21, 2024.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

Kyle Tucker rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Minute Maid Park on May 19, 2024.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

The Houston Astros’ Michael Brantley and Kyle Tucker celebrate in the locker room after winning the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Minute Maid Park on Nov. 5, 2022.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker talks with the media after winning a Gold Glove Award for the 2022 season before Game 3 of the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Nov. 1, 2022.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker reaches out to make a catch against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 5, 2022.

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Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers: A look at four-time All-Star’s MLB career

Kyle Tucker is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park on July 14, 2018. Tucker made his major league debut on July 7 of that season.

While it took two months of free agency for Tucker to find a home, he had no shortage of options as the bidding process wound down. The Mets offered him a reported $50 million annual salary, but on a shorter-term deal, a parameter the Dodgers apparently preferred as well; despite a half-billion dollar roster, the Dodgers were in need of outfield punch and lurked in the running.

And now they will land him on an average annual salary that trails only new teammate Shohei Ohtani’s heavily-deferred 10-year, $700 million deal.

Tucker becomes the eighth Dodger with a nine-figure contract, and with the off-season not yet finished, pushes their estimated 2026 payroll commitment to $334 million – and their competitive balance tax payroll will far exceed $400 million.

Tucker, a four-time All-Star, has reached the playoffs in every season since 2019, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a wild-card berth in 2025 after a stint with the Houston Astros that included a 2022 World Series title.

He’s been one of the game’s most consistent offensive producers in that span.

Tucker has accumulated 25.3 Wins Above Replacement since 2021 and posted a 145 adjusted OPS in that span. He’s posted a .277/.365/.514 slash line and averaged 27 home runs per season.

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