Dodgers expected to explore trades of two players amid Kyle Tucker $240M deal

Matt Sullivan

•
Dodgers expected to explore trades of two players amid Kyle Tucker $240M deal image

The Los Angeles Dodgers continued to frustrate the Major League Baseball world with their surprising agreement with Kyle Tucker for $240 million over four years.

It's a ridiculous $60 million AAV deal for Tucker, but his addition does bring more than just a big bat for the Dodgers. With a full 40-man roster, the Dodgers need to clear a spot for Tucker.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers have two players they're planning to explore trades for in the coming days. But neither is Teoscar Hernandez. Instead, the Dodgers are planning to move on from a different player.

Dodgers exploring trades for 2 players to clear room for Kyle Tucker

"The Dodgers, however, are more likely to explore deals for outfielder Ryan Ward, a career minor leaguer who last season was MVP of the Pacific Coast League at 27, or right-hander Bobby Miller, who has been a disappointment," Rosenthal reports.

Acquiring Tucker is a great move for the Dodgers and should make them more than simply overwhelming World Series favorites. But his addition means the departure of one player from the roster.

Instead of cutting a player or trying to find a way to get a player through waivers, the Dodgers are instead exploring trades this winter with Miller and Ward.

Of these two, Ward makes the most sense as a trade candidate. The lefty-hitting outfielder doesn't have a role on the Dodgers going forward with the addition of Tucker to the outfield.

And with Hernandez going nowhere, there's even less space for Ward on the roster. Moving on from him in a trade makes the most sense, especially since there's likely a team willing to take a chance on Ward in 2026.

The 27-year-old hit.290 with a.937 in the minor leagues last season, with 36 home runs, 122 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, and 31 doubles on 164 hits with 113 runs scored.

More: Kyle Tucker contract details: How much deferred money did Dodgers give new star?

Some team out there is likely to have some interest in Ward, and the Dodgers' best bet would be to find a trade partner with the outfielder who now doesn't have a clear fit on the Major League roster.

Miller, on the other hand, is a disappointing righty starter who has not lived up to his potential in the Majors. Over his 37 games and 36 starts, Miller has a 5.44 ERA with a78 ERA+.

While he had a solid 2023 season, with a 114 ERA+, his next two seasons have been major disappointments. Miller being traded would hardly be a surprise, as the 26-year-old righty doesn't have a clear spot on the roster going forward.

The Dodgers are trying to trade Ward or Miller to clear a spot for Tucker, and both being dealt makes sense for the Dodgers. There's no guarantee a deal isworked out, but ideally for the Dodgers, they trade one of these players to make room for Tucker.

More MLB news:

News Correspondent