While the Los Angeles Dodgers should be in the market for an outfield bat this winter, they may not end up as the high bidder for top free agent Kyle Tucker.
It would seem to be an obvious fit with baseball’s new Evil Empire having bottomless pockets and Tucker expected to command a $400 million contract, but the Dodgers might prefer to focus on shoring up the bullpen.
Los Angeles became the first team in a quarter-century to repeat as World Series champion with manager Dave Roberts installing rookie Rōki Sasaki as his closer during the playoff run. But general manager Brandon Gomes said last week that the plan is ‘absolutely’ to have Sasaki rejoin the rotation in 2026.
The Dodgers spent big on the bullpen last winter, committing $72 million over four years to Tanner Scott but find themselves in the market again for a late-innings reliever. This year’s market is flush with proven closers including Edwin Diaz and Devin Williams, but are the Dodgers even looking for a dedicated ninth-inning man?
‘I don’t think it’s a need, but it could be a ‘nice to have’ if that’s how it plays out,’ Gomes said at MLB’s GM meetings in Las Vegas.
The Dodgers are expected to pursue free agent right-hander Pete Fairbanks, who racked up 75 seasons over the past three seasons before the Tampa Bay Rays made a surprise decision to decline his 2026 option.
Dodgers rumors surround the bullpen
The lefty Scott struggled in his first year with the Dodgers, posting a 4.74 ERA in 61 regular season games but missed the entire postseason. But Los Angeles is confident the 31-year-old will have a return to form next season after posting a 2.04 ERA in 146 games in 2023 and 2024.
“I think we’ve seen it in the past with guys, there is reliever volatility. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this happen in the past with other great relievers,’ Gomes said. ‘So our full belief is that Tanner is gonna come back and have a great year for us next year, and be right there in the mix to pitch at the back end of games.”
With Scott on the books for three more years, the Dodgers may prefer to stay out of the Diaz sweepstakes, which is expected to end in a four- or five-year deal worth about $100 million.