The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing the ultimate championship-contender dilemma: should they make a glamorous, offensive superstar splash by signing Kyle Tucker (the main character in the free agent debate), or should they choose the practicality over flash and aggressively fix the bullpen that almost cost them the 2025 World Series?
While the thought of adding Tucker’s All-Star résumé and power-speed combo to a lineup featuring Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman is dazzling, recent insider reports strongly suggest the Dodgers will prioritize the bullpen, leaving the Tucker sweepstakes to their rivals.
The Case for Tucker: Flash and Firepower
Kyle Tucker is the biggest name of the 2026 free-agent class and an absolute game-changer.
- Elite Offense: In 2025, Tucker posted a .266 average with 22 home runs and 25 stolen bases, earning him a Silver Slugger award. He provides both elite production and a much-needed right-handed presence.
- The Lineup Godsend: Adding him to the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup would be an unprecedented offensive luxury, instantly creating one of the most fearsome top-to-bottom orders in baseball history.
- Cost: Tucker is projected to command a massive long-term commitment, with industry sources estimating his value could land anywhere between $300 million and $400 million.
The Case for the Bullpen Fix: A Desperate Need
Despite winning the World Series, the Dodgers’ bullpen was a major liability throughout the 2025 season, making the decision to focus on pitching a logical strategic choice.
- The Blown Saves: Closer Tanner Scott led the major leagues with 10 blown saves in 2025, finishing the regular season with a rough 4.74 ERA. This inconsistency forced the Dodgers to shift roles late in the season and revealed a clear weakness.
- The World Series Haunt: The bullpen struggled in crucial moments, most notably in Games 4 and 5 of the World Series, when the Blue Jays capitalized on Dodger relief struggles. The memory of these late-game meltdowns is forcing the Dodgers to prioritize reliability.
- The Financial Reality: Acquiring a top-tier closer like Edwin Díaz or Devin Williams will cost a significant amount—possibly around $20 million AAV. However, this commitment would be much less than a Tucker contract, allowing the Dodgers to fix their weakness without completely sacrificing long-term flexibility.
The Emerging Strategy
Sources indicate the Dodgers, with $87 million coming off the books, will remain connected to the Tucker sweepstakes to “keep folks honest,” but are unlikely to be the high bidders.
Instead, the focus is pivoting to more measured, high-impact bullpen targets:
- The Main Target: The Dodgers are strongly linked to former Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, who is a more affordable option and has proven late-inning experience (2.83 ERA in 2025).
- The Internal Option: The Dodgers are also wrestling with where to deploy phenom Roki Sasaki in 2026—whether to commit him to the rotation or move him to the bullpen to maximize his velocity and simplify his repertoire.
The Dodgers’ cautious strategy reflects a disciplined approach: fixing the weakness that most threatens a three-peat, rather than adding star power to an offense that is already one of the greatest in baseball history.
Given the Dodgers’ apparent priority shift, would you like the latest buzz on the Dodgers’ pursuit of relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks?
