As the 2026 MLB free-agency market simmers down with Spring Training just weeks away, the Los Angeles Dodgers are increasingly viewed as a lurking force poised to pounce on a star bat, but that target might not be who many fans expected.
Industry insiders contend that while the Dodgers have been connected to both elite free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, recent chatter suggests Tucker may be the more likely fit for the back-to-back World Series champions.
That doesn’t mean a deal is imminent, but it does hint at how Los Angeles is balancing roster construction, contractual preferences, and timing.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale articulated this potential shift on the Dodgers Nation podcast, telling host Doug McKain that “There’s more of a space for him. I would think he’d be perfect there.”
That sentiment underscores a broader league belief that Tucker‘s profile aligns more naturally with the Dodgers‘ needs than that of the free-agent shortstop.
Tucker, a four-time All-Star and one of the game’s premier left-handed power hitters, has been a central figure in the offseason narrative.
While Toronto Blue Jays remain the favorite to land his services after a visit to the Blue Jays‘ spring facility last month, Los Angeles has not been ruled out.
By contrast, Bichette has remained unsigned longer than some expected.
The former Toronto Blue Jays star enjoyed a standout 2025 campaign, including a .311 batting average with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs, and has drawn interest from multiple clubs, including the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs, according to reporting on scheduled Bichette meetings.
Teams across the league see Bichette as a dynamic offensive presence who can also offer positional flexibility.
During the 2025 World Series, he played second base for Toronto after returning from a knee injury and hit a pivotal three-run home run against the Dodgers.
Los Angeles already boasts an accomplished infield and outfield core bolstered by stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Adding another middleinfield bat could create redundancy without clear defensive alignment.
Dodgers’ offseason strategy
The offseason has seen major moves across both the American and National leagues.
The Toronto Blue Jays have been aggressive this winter, signing Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto and bolstering their rotation with pitchers like Dylan Cease, signaling they remain committed to contention.
That spending spree could force a strategic choice for Toronto between pursuing Tucker or resigning Bichette, a dilemma that has ripple effects across the league.
If the Blue Jays focus resources on Tucker and let Bichette walk, it could widen Los Angeles‘ window to swoop in for the shortstop.
Conversely, if Bichette lands elsewhere early, the Dodgers might recalibrate back toward their original target.
Meanwhile, other contenders like the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies are deeply involved in talks for Bichette, with meetings scheduled and interest confirmed.
Those clubs see his bat as a transformative addition, especially with potential positional shifts allowing roster flexibility.
Read the full article here
