Kyle Tucker deal to Dodgers sparks debate over Aaron Judge's contract with Yankees

Toran Flores

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Kyle Tucker deal to Dodgers sparks debate over Aaron Judge's contract with Yankees image

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Senior MLB insider Jeff Passan announced on Thursday night that the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a deal with former Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Tucker, 28, agreed to sign with the Dodgers on a four-year, $240 million contract that includes a $64 million signing bonus, $30 million in deferred money, and includes opt-outs after the second and third years.

Following the announcement, it sparked a heated debate that involved three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge's deal with the New York Yankees.

Kyle Tucker's monstrous deal draws frustrating comparisons to Yankees OF Aaron Judge

The fans of social media have spoken their thoughts and ideas on the new deal that involves a top outfielder in the MLB and the back-to-back World Series champions.

Dodgers fans are ecstatic, and the rest of the league isn't.

Especially when putting the new deal into perspective.

One topic of discussion is the comparison of the Yankees' superstar Aaron Judge, who is playing on a nine-year, $360 million contract that pays him $40 million annually.

In comparison, the Dodgers are paying Kyle Tucker an estimated $60 million annually. This realization is showing that New York may be underpaying Judge in the deal he signed in 2022.

"Aaron Judge is VERY UNDERPAID," said Everything Yankees on X.

This shows how different the Los Angeles Dodgers are in playing the financial games compared to other teams throughout the league.

Breaking down the Dodgers' spending game

The Dodgers were the highest spenders in terms of team payroll in 2025, spending over $416.7 million on player salaries. Now, with a few months remaining in the offseason, Los Angeles is down to approximately $413.5 million, according to Spotrac and Yahoo Sports' Jack Baer.

They are also spending nearly $100 million more than any other team in the league so far this offseason.

Los Angeles has yet to sign a large list of players from last season, saving the team a combined $77.2 million. Players like Michael Conforto ($17 million), Kirby Yates ($13 million), Chris Taylor ($13 million, and Clayton Kershaw ($7.5 million) highlight the list of 10 players that aren't listed on the Dodgers' roster for 2026.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the offseason plays out, but it's safe to say that another level of the game is being played, and a large group of baseball fans isn't enjoying it.

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Staff Writer