The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly almost missed out on the top free agent of the winter, Kyle Tucker.
According to Toronto Blue Jays insider Whit Merrifield, the World Series runners-up were in the midst of getting a deal done for the All-Star outfielder when the Dodgers made their four-year, $240 million offer to Kyle Tucker.
“I don’t know Kyle, but I know people in his camp really well. They agreed to give us the exclusive if he signed with the Jays. That didn’t happen, but when he signed his agent texted me and was like Kyle really wanted to go to Toronto,” Merrifield said on the 6ix Inning Stretch Podcast.
“The Jays offered him 10 years for $350 million, which ended coming out. They needed a little bit more based on Kyle and his market and comparables. Toronto just wasn’t willing to do more than $35 million a year. Everyone has a value for different players, and so Toronto felt his value was $35 million a year for 10 years, which is an incredible offer. The Dodgers came in and said how about $60 million a year? So it’s hard to say no to that.”
Why Did Kyle Tucker Sign With Dodgers?
The Dodgers are in the midst of a golden era for the organization. L.A. has brought home three World Series titles in this decade alone, and the Dodgers are preparing to complete the three-peat in 2026.
Tucker, who was also being heavily pursued by the New York Mets and Blue Jays, ultimately chose the Dodgers for two key reasons.
“There are a lot of great ball clubs out there with great teams, and they all have unique things that make them great. But kind of like I said, I think the organization from the top down is first-class, and the team that these guys put together and assembled to give a great product for the fan base and the city to go out there and compete for a championship kind of speaks for itself,” Tucker said at his introductory press conference Wednesday.
“Just kind of taking everything into account and wanting to be a part of that, I think this is very special. You don’t really get that very often.”
Money isn’t the driving factor for attracting free agents for L.A. While it certainly plays a role in the process, the Dodgers have earned a reputation for being a prestigious franchise.
Players want to wear Dodger blue, and that makes all the difference.
