Dodgers predicted to steal $400M Gold Glove World Series champion with bold high-AAV, opt-out deal

Hunter Cookston

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Dodgers predicted to steal $400M Gold Glove World Series champion with bold high-AAV, opt-out deal image

Kevin Sousa/USA TODAY Network

The offseason has yet to see the biggest name on the market sign a deal. Kyle Tucker is still weighing his options, even as Spring Training is now just a month away. One thing appears certain: Tucker will not be returning to Chicago after being traded there just a season ago.

“We'll see what happens. Don't know what the future is going to hold. If not, it's been an honor playing with all these guys and wish everyone best of luck whether it’s playing next year or not with them,” Tucker said at the end of the 2025 season.

With Tucker taking this long to make a decision, the potential collective bargaining agreement expiring after the 2026 season likely plays a role. Because of that uncertainty, Sports Illustrated’s Will Laws believes the Los Angeles Dodgers could pursue Tucker with a short-term, high-AAV contract.

“Tucker will be aiming for a $500 million contract after he made his fourth consecutive All-Star team this year. But the drawn-out nature of his free agency process, which hasn’t produced many credible whispers, indicates he may not reach that benchmark—and presents an opportunity for the Dodgers to swoop in with a high-AAV offer heavy on player options that would let Tucker re-enter the market as early as next year. Tucker’s potential is tantalizing; in 2023, Tucker was one home run short of joining Jeff Bagwell and Carlos Beltrán as the only Astros to record a 30–30 season. However, he’s missed more than 100 games due to injuries over the last two seasons and has yet to hit more than 30 homers,” Laws wrote.

The Dodgers clearly like Tucker’s upside, and if adding him increases their chances of winning another World Series, they would be more than willing to take the risk. Los Angeles is aiming to do something special in 2026.

Even if it were only a one-year arrangement, the move could prove worthwhile for both sides. If the Dodgers manage to pull it off, it would mark yet another offseason in which they land the biggest star on the market.

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Contributing writer

Contributing Writer