Dodgers could be in on Kyle Tucker, also explore internal outfield options – The New York Times

Nov 11, 2025 — The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be active in the outfield market this offseason, with Kyle Tucker among the names reportedly under consideration while the club also evaluates internal alternatives. With ample payroll flexibility after back-to-back World Series titles and concerns about last winter’s fits, the Dodgers are weighing short-term solutions against promoting high-upside prospects. Decisions hinge on roster construction, 40-man protection moves and immediate defensive needs, all as Major League Baseball faces looming labor uncertainty. The outcome will shape the roster the Dodgers present for a 2026 title bid and their path toward a possible threepeat.

Key Takeaways

• The Dodgers remain a likely suitor for Kyle Tucker during the 2025-26 offseason; the pursuit is consistent with their recent approach to top free agents.
• Ryan Ward was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster after a dominant Triple-A season: 36 home runs and a .937 OPS, earning Pacific Coast League MVP honors in 2025.
• Michael Conforto’s $17 million signing last winter produced a .637 OPS in 2025, the 10th-worst mark among hitters with at least 450 plate appearances, and he was left off postseason rosters.
• Internal options include prospects Josue De Paula (Futures Game MVP, Double-A), Zyhir Hope (Double-A), Eduardo Quintero (.923 OPS at High-A, age 19) and Mike Sirota (High-A, age 22).
• Alex Call supplied just 15 postseason plate appearances and 85 regular-season PAs after joining the Dodgers at the trade deadline, making him a possible platoon partner with Ward.
• Other short-term alternatives under consideration: re-signing veterans like Kiké Hernández, pursuing free agents such as Harrison Bader or Trent Grisham, or exploring trade opportunities.
• The club’s payroll flexibility — demonstrated by last winter’s aggressive bids, including staying in on Juan Soto before his $765 million deal — means financial limits are unlikely to rule out top targets.

Background

The Dodgers enter this offseason as reigning champions, having won consecutive World Series titles and retaining significant payroll leeway. That financial muscle has historically allowed Los Angeles to stay engaged on major free agents; last winter the club remained active in the Juan Soto sweepstakes until Soto agreed to a $765 million contract with the New York Mets. The team’s most immediate roster need is arguably in the outfield, a spot where last season’s production fell short of championship standards despite the overall team success.

Last winter’s signing of Michael Conforto for $17 million has proven problematic: Conforto finished 2025 with a .637 OPS across at least 450 plate appearances, ranking as the 10th worst OPS among similarly used hitters and resulting in his omission from postseason rosters. That shortfall has sharpened the front office’s focus on outfield upgrades that can contribute both offensively and defensively in 2026. At the same time, the Dodgers possess a well-regarded farm system with several outfield prospects approaching higher levels, creating a genuine choice between external acquisition and internal promotion.

Main Event

According to multiple people familiar with the team’s thinking, Los Angeles has not ruled out making a top-tier splash — including pursuing Kyle Tucker — while simultaneously evaluating lower-cost or internal solutions. The club recently protected Ryan Ward on the 40-man roster after his standout Triple-A campaign (36 homers, .937 OPS), suggesting the front office values depth and wants to prevent losing him in the Rule 5 process. Ward’s defensive questions and his status as a multi-time Triple-A performer temper expectations about an immediate, everyday role in 2026.

Internal roster configurations under consideration include a lefty-righty platoon between Ward (a left-handed hitter) and Alex Call (right-handed), who joined the Dodgers at the trade deadline and logged 85 regular-season plate appearances plus 15 in the postseason. Other permutations would move Tommy Edman back into more center-field work if his right ankle is healthy, potentially bumping Andy Pages to a corner. Re-signing veteran utility pieces like Kiké Hernández could also provide a stopgap in left field while preserving roster flexibility.

Beyond internal moves, short-term free agents and trades remain plausible. The Dodgers showed interest in Harrison Bader at last year’s trade deadline and have been linked to names such as Trent Grisham; all would be viewed as band-aid solutions rather than long-term anchors. The front office’s past willingness to remain in high-priced negotiations — even when outbid, as with Soto — means a player of Tucker’s caliber is within reach if the team prioritizes immediate outfield strength over cost containment.

Analysis & Implications

Signing Kyle Tucker would provide a near-immediate upgrade in both power and defensive coverage in the outfield, potentially addressing the Dodgers’ shortfall from 2025 caused in part by inconsistent corner production. Tucker’s age and established track record would make him a frontline piece for a club chasing historic sustained success; however, such a move would carry long-term payroll implications and could limit roster flexibility in subsequent winters. The Dodgers must weigh the value of extending their competitive window now versus preserving prospects and payroll for future seasons.

If the Dodgers opt for internal promotion, the timetable points to a staggered plan: prospects like Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope are in Double-A and are not expected to contribute meaningfully in 2026, while Eduardo Quintero and Mike Sirota showed rapid High-A production but remain developmental projects. Elevating Ryan Ward to a regular role would be the fastest internal route, but his defensive metrics and repeat Triple-A history introduce risk about MLB translation. A Ward–Call platoon could be a pragmatic compromise that buys time for top prospects while addressing immediate offensive needs.

The decision also intersects with the broader market and labor picture. With potential MLB work stoppages on the horizon, short-term contracts or one-year signings could be more attractive to teams that want to maintain continuity without long-term commitments. For Los Angeles, pursuing Tucker signals a win-now posture that aligns with trying to secure a threepeat; choosing internal options would emphasize sustainable roster construction and prospect valuation. Either path will influence the Dodgers’ bargaining posture in trades and free agency for months to come.

Comparison & Data

The table highlights why the Dodgers face a clear choice between near-term certainty and long-term upside. Ward’s Triple-A breakout is the most immediate internal alternative, while the other prospects remain valuable but unlikely to impact the major-league outfield in 2026. Conforto’s 2025 results underscore why the team is hesitant to rely solely on low-risk veteran signings without defensive or offensive assurances.

Reactions & Quotes

“Multiple people familiar with the team’s thinking said the Dodgers are weighing both Tucker and internal options as realistic paths.”

People familiar with the team

“The club added Ward to the 40-man roster after his Pacific Coast MVP season, a move meant to protect him from Rule 5 exposure.”

Team transaction reports

“Given Los Angeles’s recent spending behavior, industry observers view them as a likely participant for top free agents this winter.”

Baseball industry analysts

Unconfirmed

• Whether the Dodgers will make a formal offer to Kyle Tucker this offseason remains unconfirmed; reports indicate interest but no public offer has been disclosed.
• The specifics of any internal plan (for example, a definitive Ward–Call platoon) have not been finalized and are subject to spring training evaluations and roster moves.
• Talks about re-signing Kiké Hernández, pursuing Harrison Bader or trading for other specific outfielders have been mentioned in transaction rumors but lack official confirmation.

Bottom Line

The Dodgers face a classic roster dilemma: hire an established star like Kyle Tucker to maximize the 2026 window or lean on internal options and younger talent while preserving payroll flexibility. Ryan Ward’s addition to the 40-man roster changes the calculus by providing a near-term, homegrown candidate after a breakout Triple-A season, though defensive concerns complicate his outlook as an everyday starter. The club’s recent willingness to compete aggressively in the market — even when outbid — suggests Los Angeles will keep its options open, balancing immediate championship objectives with longer-term player development.

For fans and opponents alike, the coming weeks will reveal whether the Dodgers double down on a win-now strategy or prefer a measured approach that integrates prospects. Either decision will have ramifications for the team’s depth, payroll trajectory and the broader offseason market for outfield talent.

Sources

• The New York Times — original reporting and team sources