Where in The World is Kyle Tucker Headed?

With the 2025 World Series in the books and the offseason officially underway, it is now time for the baseball world to turn its eyes to free agency. Some teams will bolster an already strong roster, others will look to take a step into contention, and a few unfortunate franchises will watch star players bolt for greener pastures. Much of this offseason’s feeding frenzy will revolve around World Series champion and four-time All-Star Kyle Tucker. Only a year after Tucker was traded from Houston to Chicago, he will test free agency for the first time in his career. Most estimates have his price upwards of $400 million for a 10- to 12-year deal, meaning only a handful of heavy hitters are likely to truly be in contention for his services. His most likely destination would be a major-market contender with a need for a big bat in the outfield. While Tucker reportedly enjoyed his time in Chicago, the team is unlikely to put much effort into retaining him. This leaves the Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Dodgers as the most likely teams to employ him in 2026. Before he makes his decision, let’s break down some of his likely suitors and make our official prediction.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Starting things off will be the two-time reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Yes, the Dodgers who currently employ more superstars than any other team in baseball. Yes, the Dodgers who already have the highest payroll in the league. The same Dodgers also have a need for an upgrade in the outfield and an aging roster. Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy are both in the second half of their thirties, and Mookie Betts has already shown signs of a rapid decline. Signing Tucker would bolster their lineup for a shot at a three-peat and secure their future. The team could shed some payroll this offseason if they chose to, though we know the team is never shy about spending.

New York Mets

The next team on the list is the New York Mets, who last offseason inked the largest contract in the history of the sport en route to securing Juan Soto. Even with a payroll slightly below the Dodgers, the Mets were unable to earn a postseason spot. While the team’s priority should be the starting rotation, they will also be targeting a bat to give Juan Soto more protection and lengthen the lineup. While we should never doubt Steve Cohen’s willingness to open the checkbook, the team will be attempting to re-sign Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz along with filling numerous holes on the roster, so bringing in the biggest free agent on the market for the second consecutive year could be far-fetched.

New York Yankees

Much like the Mets, their crosstown rivals are likely to attempt to balance needs at multiple position groups while courting the services of Kyle Tucker and other big-ticket free agents. Obviously the team lives and dies by the bat of Aaron Judge, who will need protection around him in the lineup, especially with Cody Bellinger hitting free agency. Tucker is well within their price range and would be an upgrade at the plate. Should the team re-sign Bellinger, then expect them to put more effort into bolstering the pitching staff and luring Pete Alonso across town. But should Bellinger sign elsewhere early in the free agency window, then I would certainly expect the Yankees to be heavily in the mix.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants have missed out on multiple massive free agents in recent years, most notably Aaron Judge in 2022 despite being extremely close to signing him to a long-term contract. This past season, the Giants were able to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres for the better part of the season but simply didn’t have the firepower to get over the hump. The Giants were 13th in payroll in 2025 but have shown a willingness to spend after inking Willy Adames to a long-term deal and taking on the majority of Rafael Devers’ 11-year, $331 million contract from the Red Sox. Tucker would fit well into a lineup that already features Devers and Adames in the infield but lacks a true star in the outfield. Tucker could also be drawn to Oracle Park’s spacious right-field gap, which tends to suit left-handed hitters. Unlike the Yankees, Dodgers, or Mets, the Giants would also offer Kyle Tucker a chance to be the face of a franchise long-term.

All things considered, my official prediction is that Tucker will land on the West Coast with either the Dodgers or Giants, with the Dodgers having an edge. Tucker has played for winning teams throughout his career and is hungry to get back to the World Series. The Dodgers present the best opportunity for him to do that both now and for the remainder of his career. From the Dodgers’ perspective, Tucker would be the key to extending their dominance after the careers of Freeman and Betts come to an end. With Kershaw retiring and expensive players like Michael Conforto and Kirby Yates entering free agency, the Dodgers should be able to ink Tucker to the contract he wants without pushing their salary much higher than the level of 2025.

John Siebels is the owner of Springhill Sports Cards, he collects and sells sports cards on Ebay, you can find him on TikTok, YouTube, BlueSky and his Ebay store.