Dodgers, Giants Linked to Superstar Kyle Tucker in Impending Free Agency
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman believes the Los Angeles Dodgers are a primary landing spot for Chicago Cubs All-Star Kyle Tucker, who will enter free agency after the 2025 season.
Tucker has established himself as one of MLB’s premier power hitters over the last few seasons, and hasn’t posted an OPS lower than .800 since his first year with the Houston Astros, a 28-game stint in 2018.
“Hard to see the Cubs spending $300 million-plus on Kyle Tucker,” wrote Heyman.
“Great all-around player, but with Owen Caissie probably ready to go, and considering their history of avoiding the monster contract, the Dodgers, Giants and others seem more likely.”
Tucker could address perhaps the biggest hole in the Dodgers’ lineup if he were to come to LA during the offseason: left field. Michael Conforto has had the biggest share of games in left field for the Dodgers this season, however he has been left off of the postseason roster entirely after an underwhelming 2025 season.
If the Dodgers bring in Tucker, they could move him to left field from his normal post in right, or — perhaps more realistically — move Teoscar Hernandez back into left field.
Tucker has struggled with injury over the past few seasons, playing just 78 games in 2024 and battling a hairline fracture in his right hand in the weeks leading up to the All-Star break. He still put up an OPS just short of 1.000 in 2024, though, and was brilliant outside of the rough stretch in 2025 which came with his injury.
The Dodgers have a chance to play the Cubs in the upcoming NLCS, and it could serve as an audition of sorts for the slugger. He has had his struggles in the postseason so far, however his quality as a hitter is inarguable. The Cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5 of the NLDS on Saturday, and the winner of that game will face the Dodgers in the NLCS on Monday.
Cubs’ Best Playoff Pitcher Named Game 5 Starter vs. Brewers
Think back to that Opening Day series in Japan against the Los Angeles, how many of you would have guessed that left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz would be named the Game 5 starter in the NLDS for the Chicago Cubs? The answer is zero because the 36-year-old pitcher wasn’t even in the Cubs organization until the Seattle Mariners traded him to Chicago on April 21.
Carolina Panthers Face Challenges at Home vs. Dallas
Now, in a win or go home game in Milwaukee Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell is handing the ball over to Pomeranz, who had not pitched in the majors prior to this season since 2021. The left-handed pitcher has been perfect in the postseason, tossing five shutout innings. Pomeranz has struck five batters, while not allowing a single hitter to reach base.
Pomeranz will be tasked to shut down the Brewers in the first inning Saturday night. Milwaukee scored 10 runs in the first inning combined through the first three games of the NLDS, including six in Game 1 and three in Game 2.
On Friday, ESPN 1000’s Marc Silverman speculated that the Cubs were thinking about not using Shōta Imanaga whatsoever in Game 5 against the Brewers, citing his struggles and loss of confidence. We’ll see who follows Pomeranz, but Counsell has already promised that everyone except for Matthew Boyd will be available to use.
