Kyle Tucker's Historic Dodgers Contract Called Unfair by MLB Fans amid Latest Payroll, Lineup

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a major splash in free agency on Thursday.

According to ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year contract worth $240 million. Tucker's deal also includes an opt-out after the second year.

Los Angeles now has a projected payroll of $413 million for the 2026 season (via FanGraphs).

With Tucker in the mix, here's a look at the Dodgers' updated lineup.

2026 Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Mookie Betts, SS
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Kyle Tucker, RF
5. Will Smith, C
6. Max Muncy, 3B
7. Teoscar Hernández, LF
8. Tommy Edman, 2B
9. Andy Pages, CF

Meanwhile, MLB fans weren't overjoyed after the World Series champions in both 2024 and 2025 made another huge offseason addition, including Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris:

The average annual value of $60 million on Tucker's deal is the second-highest among all players and only trails Ohtani, via Spotrac.

Per Rogers, the New York Mets offered Tucker a "shorter-term deal" worth approximately $50 million per season while the Toronto Blue Jays made a long-term offer to the 28-year-old.

Instead, he chose to join Los Angeles.

Tucker is coming off an impressive 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs, earning his fourth consecutive All-Star nod. He hit .266 with an .841 OPS while compiling 22 home runs, 25 doubles, 25 stolen bases and 73 RBI in 136 appearances.

The Dodgers boast an immensely imposing lineup, as they already led the National League with 244 homers as well as a .768 team OPS in 2025.

When factoring in a pitching staff that features Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to go along with Blake Snell, Los Angeles is a strong contender to capture a third consecutive World Series title.