MLB: Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres MLB: Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres Apr 16, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) hits a sacrifice fly during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Dodgers plan to ‘jump’ for Chicago Cubs RF Kyle Tucker: Report

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated May 11, 2025 9:52 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs traded for right fielder Kyle Tucker in the offseason, hoping he could help the team go a long run in 2025. So far, the Cubs are 23-17 and have a two-game lead on the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the NL Central.

The main question for Chicago is if the team has put enough talent around him in the lineup, as the Cubs have a gaping hole at third base. After all, Tucker is in the final year of his contract, so Chicago needs to be all-in on winning this season.

The Chicago Cubs need about half a billion

Re-signing Tucker won’t be cheap. ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote that the three-time All-Star will likely sign a new deal for anywhere between $400-500 million.

A $500 million salary could put Tucker out of the price range for the Ricketts family. Cubs president Jed Hoyer has been clear that the team wants to re-sign Tucker, but only if they can do so while having enough money left over to field a contending team.

If Chicago can’t, they might see their best player in 2025 fall to their biggest threat in the National League.

Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers?

MLB: Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks Mar 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker (30) hits a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Los Angeles Dodgers have Tucker on their radar.

“The Los Angeles Dodgers plan to jump into the free-agent fray for Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker this winter,” Nightengale wrote. “They may not be the high bidder, but they’ll surely keep everyone honest just as they did when they were in the Juan Soto sweepstakes.”

The Dodgers should want Tucker.

At 28, Tucker is batting .276/.387/.545 with an OPS of .932, 10 home runs, and 32 RBI.

Nightengale’s report has an interesting dynamic for the Cubs to consider. Part of Hoyer’s pitch to Tucker is how great Chicago and Wrigley Field can be in the summer. Even if the Dodgers can’t offer Tucker the most money, they can offer him the best shot to win a World Series.

MLB: Spring Training Chicago Cubs at Hanshin Tigers Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) bats against the Hanshin Tigers during the seventh inning at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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