Execs Predict Dodgers Land 4-Time All-Star With Another Absurd Contract This Winter
A notable MLB insider believes the Los Angeles Dodgers will give a four-time All-Star the biggest contract in MLB free agency after this season.
The Dodgers have rubbed many fans and rival clubs the wrong way with their massive spending during this decade. In an attempt to win a second straight World Series and third in five years, the team has a $348 million payroll. But that does count the hundreds of millions they owe in deferrals now and in the next decade.
Well, according to USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale, he doesn’t expect the obscene spending to slow down after this season. Because he believes they will be the team that wins the very expensive Kyle Tucker sweepstakes in the winter.
Kyle Tucker stats: .270 AVG, .381 OBP, .472 SLG, .854 OPS, 22 HR, 73 RBI, 89 R, 25 SB
“Despite Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker’s struggles since the All-Star break, hitting .242 with only five homers and 17 RBI, rival executives still believe he’ll be the highest-paid player in free agency,” Nightengale wrote. “Their prediction where he’ll land? The Dodgers, who badly could use outfield help.”
Before the season, the 28-year-old Chicago Cubs outfielder was expected to cash in this offseason. However, after another All-Star first half, he has struggled mightily, as Nightengale mentioned. Yet, it seems MLB executives feel the last few months have been an anomaly. And he is more like the player MLB fans saw during his last three seasons with the Houston Astros.
Tucker isn’t expected to surpass the $700 million or more Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto got in recent offseasons. However, many around the game believe he could get a deal worth more than $600 million.
Celtics fans would riot if they traded for the newest name on the trade block
The Boston Celtics are this summer's prime example of a team trading players it values because of constraints imposed by an unforgiving collective bargaining agreement.
After consecutive campaigns over the second apron, the franchise parted with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. They also lost Luke Kornet to the San Antonio Spurs in free agency. When Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency gets settled, the Golden State Warriors could quickly sign Al Horford.
However, Boston could now benefit from another team that's working to shed salary. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Philadelphia 76ers are motivated to trade at least one, if not both, Kelly Oubre and Andre Drummond. The reason is to create enough space to re-sign restricted free agent Quentin Grimes while staying under the first apron.
"There has been buzz all summer long about the Sixers looking to potentially move one of, if not both, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre," reports Fischer. "If they are able to find a deal for one of those two guys as we get closer to camp, that would open up some more wiggle room for Philadelphia to be able to pay Grimes a little bit more."
If that's true, the Celtics could swoop in and acquire either individual at a low cost.
Should the Celtics trade for Andre Drummond?
Oubre is the better of these two players, certainly in the opinion of this author. However, Boston has plenty of wings. Furthermore, most of them are younger prospects with a chance to prove themselves. With Jayson Tatum rehabbing a torn Achilles and title contention seemingly on pause, they should get that opportunity.
Seeing who can capitalize and carve out their place in the NBA is one of the most productive uses of this season. Players like Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and offseason signing Josh Minott all have a chance to prove they're capable of becoming multi-year contributors. Scheierman seems like the safest bet and most entrenched among that trio.
There's also rookie Hugo Gonzalez. The first-round pick is raw. He must adapt to a dramatically different and faster style of play than in the ACB. However, the Celtics were wise to take a home run swing with the 28th overall selection. Now they should afford him opportunities to play through those growing pains.
Adding Oubre to an already crowded mix is a suboptimal way to fill the Celtics' final roster spot. It's an unnecessary avenue to raising the team's tax bill. The depth chart at center makes acquiring Drummond more reasonable.
Behind Neemias Queta, who impressed at EuroBasket, and Luka Garza are Xavier Tillman Sr., Chris Boucher, and Amari Williams. As previously explored, Tillman could deliver a bounce-back season and prove last year was an outlier. However, it also may have been the start of a rapid decline for an undersized big man who has dealt with knee injuries.
Boucher is best when operating at the four in double-big lineups. Still, he allows Joe Mazzulla to deploy small-ball lineups with him at center that could overcome concerns on defense and on the boards with a potent offensive attack.
Williams enters the Association on a two-way deal. His skill set is intriguing. However, the rookie's game is raw. He figures to spend most of his time developing in the G League.
Bringing Drummond into the fold is justifiable. The Celtics could find a role for him despite only being a scoring threat around the basket. The six-foot-11 center is coming off a campaign where he averaged 7.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. That production came in 18.8 minutes of playing time across 40 appearances with the 76ers.
The former UConn Huskies star is still a capable contributor at 32 years old. However, parting with draft capital, no matter how heavily protected that second-round pick is, seems like a poor use of that asset.
Even if Drummond were a free agent, Boston is probably better off maximizing luxury tax savings, or at least searching for a younger player more likely to help beyond this season.
If Drummond's on the trade block, it won't take much for the Celtics to acquire him. Still, if they're going to put more resources into their 2025-26 roster, there are better uses of them than going in this direction.
