The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of three favorites in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, along with the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays.
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Tucker is expected to make a decision soon as the trio of suitors have all made competitive offers to this winter’s top free agent.
While Tucker would be a good addition for any of the three clubs, the star outfielder’s arrival to LA would strengthen the defending champions in three crucial areas.
Dodgers insider Sonja Chen explained why Tucker joining the defending champions would give the lineup a strong left-handed bat, help the outfield’s offensive production, and be a defensive upgrade from Teoscar Hernandez in right field.
“Tucker would add a left-handed bat to a predominantly right-handed starting-outfield mix that features Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages. (The Dodgers are also expecting to be able to play switch-hitting utility man Tommy Edman in the outfield once he recovers from right ankle surgery.) In 2025, the Dodgers’ outfield ranked 17th in the Majors with 4.8 bWAR,” Chen writes.
“Among the weak points of their 2025 outfield: They got on base at a .299 clip (26th in MLB) and struck out at a 23.7% clip (20th). Tucker could help lift the position group in both regards, as he walked (87 times) nearly as often as he struck out (88) last season. He had a .377 on-base percentage and a strikeout rate of 14.7%, which ranked in the 85th percentile among qualified Major Leaguers.
“Tucker doesn’t grade out as well defensively (-2 outs above average in 2025), but he would still be an upgrade over Hernández, whose -9 OAA ranked fourth worst among qualified right fielders. Overall, bringing in a talent like Tucker would raise both the floor and the ceiling for Los Angeles’ outfield.”
The Dodgers are preparing to make another World Series run in 2026, but their weak outfield last season made their road to a championship that much harder. If LA’s front office can bolster that position group with Tucker, the Dodgers would be in a superior spot heading into 2026.
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