The Los Angeles Dodgers Signed Kyle Tucker To A Record-Setting Deal

Right fielder Kyle Tucker was the prized possession of free agency this MLB offseason. As other players joined new teams or re-signed with their current ones, Tucker remained available. Reports came out that the New York Mets, who gave Juan Soto a $765 million deal last offseason, offered Tucker a contract worth $50 million per year.

It turns out that wasn't quite enough. Instead, Tucker agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that's won the last two World Series. Tucker's deal is for four years and $240 million. It includes a $64 million signing bonus and opt-outs after the second and third seasons.

ESPN's Jeff Passan also reported that the contract includes $30 million in deferred money, so the contract worth $57.1 million in present-day average annual value. That's an MLB record in present-day AAV, surpassing Soto's deal with the Mets, which has a present-day AAV of $51 million.

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The Dodgers are certainly not shy about spending money, and they'll have to spend a lot to acquire Tucker's services. Unless they shed a lot of salary, the team is going to top the highest luxury tax threshold in 2026. Between Tucker's salary and a 110% luxury tax penalty, the Dodgers will owe $119.9 million a year to roster Tucker.

But it could be worthwhile—and the Dodgers reportedly have no issue with footing a hefty luxury tax bill.

The 29-year-old Tucker has had some injury troubles the past couple of years, but he's looked like a superstar on the field for both the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. He's earned four consecutive All-Star nods and has also won two Silver Slugger awards. His .273/.358/.507 batting slashes pair nicely with his speed and power, too. Tucker has had at least 22 home runs in each of his last five seasons, and he's stolen 25 or more bases in three of the past four years.

Now, he's joining a Dodgers lineup packed with stars. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and Max Muncy have all won multiple World Series. They're looking to make it a three-peat with their newly acquired outfielder.