The Los Angeles Dodgers once again signed the top free agent as the team inked Kyle Tucker to a massive deal.
Los Angeles signed Tucker to a massive four-year, $240 million deal, as the AAV is $60 million per season. However, the deal includes $30 million in deferrals of the $240 million in Kyle Tucker’s deal.
MLB insider Ari Alexander reported that the net present value is $57.1 million, which he will get each year, is the largest ever when you factor in all deferrals. Following the massive deal, Tucker took to Instagram to break his silence on the move.
“It’s Time for Dodger Baseball,” Tucker wrote in the caption of a video montage of his career highlights.
Tucker will join the powerhouse Dodgers, who have won back-to-back World Series and will look for their first three-peat.
The star hitter will be a key part of the Dodgers’ offense and fill a major need in the outfield. Last season, Tucker hit .266 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs last season with the Chicago Cubs, as he dealt with injuries.
What Dodgers Lineup Look Like With Tucker?
Los Angeles already had a stacked roster, and now with Tucker added, they are even better.
Tucker is expected to be the team’s everyday right fielder, pushing Teoscar Hernandez to left field. But his bat will fit in nicely in the lineup, as the Dodgers projected lineup is as follows.
DH Shohei Ohtani
SS Mookie Betts
1B Freddie Freeman
C Will Smith
RF Kyle Tucker
LF Teoscar Hernández
3B Max Muncy
CF Andy Pages
2B Tommy Edman
It’s a crazy lineup that, with Tucker hitting fifth and Hernandez hitting sixth, shows how deep the lineup is.
Regardless, Tucker will be able to be a support player with the Dodgers and not the main focus, which is reportedly what he wanted.
Tucker is a four-time MLB All-Star.
Former Player Explains Why LA Lands Top Free Agents
The Dodgers are no strangers to landing the very best free agents, and Tucker is the latest to join the team.
Former MLB outfielder Kevin Pillar believes players want to play for the Dodgers and join that group. So, if the money is even relatively close, they will continue to pick the Dodgers.
“If you are close to another team and the Dodgers are in it, there’s a chance the player is going to go to the Dodgers because of all those things I mentioned,” Pillar said during a Jan. 15 appearance on “Foul Territory.” . “And the Dodgers kind of just kind of been operating, with Kyle Tucker kind of in silence. You’ve kind of maybe always connected the dots.
“You could see how there was a fit, but at some point, you’re like, there’s no way they’re going to go out and get another player. And sure enough, the Dodgers do what they do. They go out. They changed the game again. The highest AAV ever for a player, for Kyle Tucker to go play right field and bat somewhere in that lineup, it’s crazy. Yeah, I didn’t see it coming, but I’m also not surprised.”
Tucker will look to help the Dodgers win its third-straight World Series.
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The post Kyle Tucker Breaks Silence After Signing Record Deal With Dodgers appeared first on Heavy Sports.
