01/15/26 09:30:00
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01/15 21:27 CST Kyle Tucker agrees to a $240 million, 4-year contract with the
World Series champion Dodgers
Kyle Tucker agrees to a $240 million, 4-year contract with the World Series
champion Dodgers
By JAY COHEN
AP Baseball Writer
Kyle Tucker has agreed to a $240 million, four-year contract with the Los
Angeles Dodgers, according to a person familiar with the deal, bolstering the
franchise's chance for a third consecutive World Series championship.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday night on condition of
anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical.
Tucker's $60 million average annual value would be the second-highest in
baseball history, not factoring discounting, behind Shohei Ohtani's $70 million
in his 10-year deal with the Dodgers that runs through 2033.
When healthy, Tucker is among the best all-around players in the majors. But
the outfielder has played in just 214 regular-season games over the past two
years.
He batted .266 with 22 homers and 73 RBIs with the Chicago Cubs last season. He
was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Houston in December 2024 that moved
slugging prospect Cam Smith to the Astros.
Tucker was slowed by a pair of injuries in his lone season with the Cubs. He
sustained a small fracture in his right hand on an awkward slide against
Cincinnati on June 1. He also strained his left calf against Atlanta on Sept. 2.
After getting off to a fast start with his new team, Tucker hit just .231 with
five homers in 41 games after the All-Star break. He served as Chicago's
designated hitter in the playoffs as the Cubs eliminated San Diego in the first
round before losing to Milwaukee in a five-game NL Division Series.
Tucker, who turns 29 on Saturday, rejected a $22,025,000 qualifying offer in
November, so his new deal means the Cubs will get a compensatory draft pick.
Tucker was selected by Houston with the No. 5 pick in the 2015 amateur draft.
He played in three World Series with the Astros, winning a ring in 2022.
He hit at least 29 homers and drove in at least 92 runs for three straight
seasons from 2021-23. He won a Gold Glove in 2022 and led the AL with 112 RBIs
in 2023.
He was limited to 78 games in his final season with Houston because of a
fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs.
The Tampa, Florida, native is a .273 hitter with 147 homers, 490 RBIs and an
.865 OPS in 769 career games. He also has 119 steals in 135 attempts.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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