Dodgers fans surprised as Kyle Tucker update could have LA in driver's seat

The Dodgers have made it very clear that they're unwilling to give Kyle Tucker the long-term deal he wants. If the insiders know it and continue to harp on it as a caveat to every Tucker-Dodgers development, then the player certainly knows it too.

But that clearly hasn't put Tucker off completely. MLB Network analyst Jim Duquette wrote on Twitter that the three finalists — the Blue Jays, Mets, and Dodgers — have all met with Tucker either in person or via Zoom, and could be nearing the stage where they escalate offers to differentiate themselves.

The Blue Jays still seem like the most realistic destination for Tucker, even though they've doled out a lot of money already this offseason. They still appear to be the most willing of any of the three teams remaining to give Tucker a longer-term deal, while the Dodgers and Mets are hoping that four or five years with a high AAV could persuade him.

Of course, Tucker and his agent could just be stringing the Dodgers along to keep options open and keep other suitors on their toes; no one can get complacent when the Dodgers are involved. But for now, we know that the Dodgers' interest definitely is real, and we may finally start to see movement on Tucker's market in their favor.

Kyle Tucker has reportedly met with Blue Jays, Mets, and Dodgers as his free agency drags on

The Dodgers would certainly be a little disappointed if they didn't land Tucker, but it wouldn't be the same blow to them as it would be to the Blue Jays or Mets. LA could still pivot to any of the many outfielders it's been eyeing via trade, or it could finally give a couple of prospects some real runway. Tucker has always been a nice-to-have rather than a have-to-have, and the Dodgers would be fine without him.

But he's the best outfield option on the free agent market, and so of course the Dodgers have to do their due diligence and make a play. The short-term, high-AAV strategy hasn't really worked out for them in the past (it didn't work with Bryce Harper, anyway), but they have nothing to lose by staying in the hunt, and a free agent will always have to consider getting a lot of money from the reigning two-time World Series champions.

Tucker has either received an All-Star nod or MVP votes (or both) for every single one of his seasons since 2021. That's a guy the Dodgers are going to keep talking to until he tells them not to.