Dodgers Reportedly 'Waiting' for Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette 'to Fall to Them'

Having been somewhat quiet this offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers could be playing the free-agent market in a way that allows them to add an All-Star position player to their roster.

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, the feeling among agents around MLB is that the Dodgers are "waiting" for Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette "to fall to them" on a short-term deal with a high average annual salary.

Coming off back-to-back World Series wins, the only move the Dodgers have made thus far was signing Edwin Díaz. They made him the highest-paid reliever in MLB history by average annual salary, so it's certainly not a small addition.

But it is unusual to see the Dodgers not acting aggressively given their penchant for spending money on star players. They have handed out at least one free-agent deal worth more than $100 million in each of the past two years.

Tucker and Bichette entered this offseason likely expecting to cash in on a long-term contract at a high-dollar value. They were ranked as the top two free agents by MLB Trade Rumors. Tucker was predicted to sign an 11-year, $400 million deal, while Bichette's prediction was for $208 million over eight years.

It's entirely plausible both players end up signing for close to those amounts, with MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reporting the Toronto Blue Jays are considered the favorites to sign Tucker and many of the usual big-market clubs at least interested in him.

Bichette has reportedly drawn interest from many of those same teams, including the Blue Jays, Dodgers,  New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies.

In the event that either or both can't find the type of offer they are seeking, the Dodgers presenting a two- or three-year deal with an opt out after the first season doesn't seem like a bad alternative.

They would presumably make a lot of money in 2026, play for a team that is going to be favored to win the World Series once again and can hit the market next offseason.

The downside to that scenario is most analysts are anticipating a work stoppage next offseason when the current CBA expires and any potential changes to the financial structure in the league could impact their future earnings if they don't sign a long-term deal this offseason.