Kyle Tucker chose the bigger paycheck over long-term security, becoming another free agent who picked the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Toronto Blue Jays. It’s becoming a pattern whenever both clubs chase the same player. Happened with Shohei Ohtani, same story with Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers while rejecting the Blue Jays’ reported 10-year, $350 million offer. He’s joining a loaded roster that’s gunning for a World Series three-peat this fall.
Turns out Tucker actually wanted to play in Toronto, but the Dodgers’ offer was just too good to pass up.
Former Blue Jays star Whit Merrifield revealed the details on his 6ix Inning Stretch Podcast, sharing what Tucker’s agent told him directly.
“His agent texted me and was like, ‘Hey, Kyle really wanted to go to Toronto,'” Merrifield said. “The Jays offered him ten years for [$350 million], which ended up coming out. They needed, I felt like they needed a little bit more based on Kyle and his market and comparables. Toronto just wasn’t willing to do more than [$35 million] a year.”
The math tells the whole story. Toronto valued Tucker at $35 million per year over ten years – that’s real money. But the Dodgers came in at around $60 million annually.
“Everyone has a value for different players. Toronto felt that his value was [$35 million] a year for ten years, which is an incredible offer. The Dodgers came in and said about [$60 million] a year. It’s hard to say no to that.”
Hard to argue with Merrifield’s logic there. When one team offers nearly double the annual value, preference only goes so far.
Tucker’s already got a ring from his 2022 championship with the Astros. Now he’s joining a franchise that looks unstoppable. The Dodgers beat the Yankees in 2024 and the Blue Jays in 2025 for back-to-back titles. A three-peat isn’t just possible – it’s looking pretty likely with Tucker in the fold.
At his introductory press conference, Tucker said exactly what Dodgers fans wanted to hear.
“What’s up Dodgers fans? Excited to be out here in LA. Let’s go win another World Series!… Playing here is exciting. You can see the fan base really embrace the team, embrace the city, and want to encourage the players to go out there and play at a high level.”
The guy gets it. He’s not just chasing money – he’s chasing history.
What Tucker Brings to LA
In 2025, Tucker posted a .266/.377/.464 slash line with an .841 OPS, along with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they don’t tell the full story either.
When healthy, Tucker’s a difference-maker. The key word there is when – but that’s a gamble the Dodgers were willing to make at $60 million per year.
The way I see it, Tucker bet on himself with the shorter deal and higher annual value. Four years gives him another shot at free agency while he’s still in his prime. The Dodgers get their guy for their championship window, and Tucker gets paid like the elite player he can be.
All things considered, it’s hard to blame Tucker for following the money to a team that’s already proven they know how to win it all. Sometimes the stars just align – literally and figuratively in this case.
