Toronto Blue Jays dodged bullet missing out on Kyle Tucker

The LA Dodgers may be having some buyer's remorse when it comes to Kyle Tucker and the four-year, $240 million deal he signed this past offseason.

Heading into the 2025 free agency pool as the biggest fish available, Tucker waited nearly three months before signing with the Dodgers. It came as a massive gut punch to the Toronto Blue Jays organization and its fan base, as many believed he would be taking his talents north of the border.

Not long after Tucker signed with the Dodgers, it was reported that the Blue Jays had offered Tucker a 10-year, $350 million deal. That said, while losing out on the four-time All-Star felt catastrophic at the time, it's quickly become a blessing in disguise.

Tucker is having a horrendous season with the Dodgers. Through 118 games, he's hitting just .230 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI. Even worse, his WAR on the season sits at just 0.1. It's the first time he's fallen below 4.5 in that category since 2020.

Adding to the issue is that Tucker can't seem to hit at Dodger Stadium. He's hitting just .184 at home and has shown zero signs of turning things around.

Since the pitcher's mound was lowered in 1969, the only MLB hitter to have an 85-game home span with an:

👉 AVG below .182
👉 OBP below .288
👉 SLG below .266
(in at least 338 plate appearances)

is Kyle Tucker. 😮 pic.twitter.com/X9aCEj8ZAl

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) August 15, 2026

"I feel like I've tried just about everything," Tucker told reporters on Monday. "And every time I feel like I'm turning a corner, I get hit with a roadblock."

Monday may have been the biggest low yet for Tucker, who dropped what should have been an easy out against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. It marked the second fly ball he's dropped in less than a week's time.

Kyle Tucker drops another flyball

0 for his last 23 at the platepic.twitter.com/E9kLB7fv9h

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 18, 2026

"He's frustrated," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted. "Certainly, the play out in right field, there's indecision. Catching a baseball at your ankles kind of speaks to where his head is at right now. It's not from lack of effort, care. It's just kind of right now he's fighting it. We've got to keep supporting him."

The good news for Tucker is that his play hasn't had much of a negative impact on the Dodgers, who sit atop the NL West with a 75-51 record. Perhaps the good news for the Dodgers, on the other hand, is that they signed Tucker for just four years rather than the 10 years the Blue Jays offered.