MLB insider Jon Heyman is already linking the Los Angeles Dodgers to one of this winter’s top prizes: Kyle Tucker. The Dodgers haven’t even finished their current playoff run, but Heyman sees Tucker as a perfect fit for their outfield.
Writing in The Post, Heyman thinks Tucker would give the club’s outfield a significant boost. With Mookie Betts now playing shortstop full-time, the Dodgers have been using Teoscar Hernandez in right field. Problem is, Hernandez is much more comfortable in left.
That’s where Tucker comes in.
Dodgers expected to pursue Kyle Tucker: 1. They like him 2. OF is the least of their strengths 3. Presumably they have $ left after pursuing Soto 4. Of course they do.
Heyman’s reasoning is pretty straightforward. The Dodgers have the financial firepower – they were serious players for Juan Soto last offseason – and they’ve got a clear positional need. Tucker, who’s coming off three straight All-Star seasons with Houston, would slot in perfectly.
The timing of this report is interesting. It comes right after the Dodgers swept Milwaukee to reach their second consecutive World Series. Their postseason dominance has reignited the debate about whether LA’s spending creates an unfair competitive advantage.
Fan Reaction Says It All
Manager Dave Roberts poured gasoline on that fire after the NLCS sweep, telling critics “Let’s ruin baseball.” He was clearly responding to those who say the Dodgers are simply buying championships.
The Tucker rumors brought out similar reactions from fans across social media.
“Dodgers ruining baseball,” one fan wrote.
“Dodgers will pursue and sign this guy for $1, then defer $1.7 billion to secure his services,” another fan added. “It’s getting to the point that the other owners have to cowboy up.”
The criticism kept coming:
“Year 5 of the luxury tax should be a minimum of $10 for every dollar over the threshold. The Dodgers’ ownership should be cutting a billion-dollar check to non-luxury tax-paying teams.”
“And yet someone will write an article to justify how it’s ‘good for baseball.'”
It’s the same conversation that follows the Dodgers everywhere these days. Their payroll and deferred contract structures have created what many see as an All-Star team masquerading as a regular roster.
Why Tucker Makes Sense
Setting aside the competitive balance debate, Tucker would be a logical addition. The 27-year-old outfielder hit .289 with 23 home runs and 49 stolen bases this season for Houston. He’s got three years of 4+ WAR production under his belt.
The Dodgers’ outfield situation isn’t exactly broken, but it could use some fine-tuning. Moving Hernandez back to his preferred left field spot while adding Tucker’s production in right would be an upgrade. Plus, Tucker’s speed and baserunning would fit well with how they like to manufacture runs.
The money part? Well, that’s never really been an issue for this front office.
LA enters the World Series as heavy favorites, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they wrap things up quickly. Last year they needed just five games to handle the New York Yankees. Another championship would only amplify the questions about competitive balance.
But from the Dodgers’ perspective, they’re just trying to maximize thier championship window while they have Shohei Ohtani, Betts, and Freddie Freeman in their primes. Tucker would fit that timeline perfectly.
The real question isn’t whether they’ll pursue him – it’s whether anyone else can compete with their offer.
