Cubs Rumors: Annoyingly persistent NL foe has its sights set on Kyle Tucker

As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for their fifth World Series appearance in the last nine seasons, offseason rumors are already starting to circulate - and it's one of particular interest to Chicago Cubs fans.

According to Jon Heyman, the Dodgers 'love' Kyle Tucker and are expected to be in the mix for the four-time All-Star this offseason. Money won't be an issue for Los Angeles - and with Michael Conforto hitting the open market this winter, there's a natural opening for Tucker without the need to shuffle the roster around or have a square peg, round hole situation.

The Cubs are no stranger to losing out on top free agents to the Dodgers (nor are any of the other 28 teams) - having come up short in pursuits of guys like Tanner Scott, Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani in free agency and missing out on trade targets like Tyler Glasnow in recent years.

Kyle Tucker is expected to command a major free agent payday

A reunion with Tucker feels like a long shot, at best, given the Cubs have given out just one deal north of $100 million in the last five years and he's expected to fetch somewhere in the $300-400 million range. Chicago has lined up the majority of its major payroll obligations with the expiration of the current CBA next year - and I have trouble believing Tom Ricketts is looking to make a record splash this winter.

If Tucker departs, Chicago has internal options to fill his spot on the roster in the form of top prospects Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros and Kevin Alcantara. Still, there are free agent options available outside of Tucker - and Jed Hoyer will at least do his due diligence on those names.

The Dodgers have major money coming off the books at season's end: nearly $50 million in expiring contracts - and they could free up another $15 million or so depending on what they do with options on Max Muncy and Alex Vesia. Adding Tucker to an already-star studded roster that could be eyeing a three-peat? Not a bad centerpiece for a title defense blueprint.