Dodgers are getting a version of Kyle Tucker no one - even the Cubs - has seen

Remember a year ago, when we were all practically gift-wrapping a blank check for Kyle Tucker? Well, things have changed. After fueling the Chicago Cubs' offense with some massive home runs and clutch hits in the first half of 2025, Tucker struggled to replicate that production in the final months of the year. And those struggles have not only continued in his first weeks with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but have also gotten worse in many ways.

The 29-year-old's entire offensive approach has always been centered around a mastery of the strike zone, but several of Tucker's numbers are trending in the wrong direction after the Dodgers gave him a ludicrous $240 million contract. A contract that gave Tucker the second-highest average annual value ($60 million) in MLB history.

Below are some of the most glaring examples of Tucker's down numbers through his first 24 games this year compared to that same mark in 2025.

There's still a lot of time for Tucker to turn his season around. But right now, it looks like the Cubs were wise to let him walk away in free agency. Tucker is playing more like an average MLB outfielder, and less like a cornerstone offensive force that he has been at times in his career.

The Cubs have no regrets - the Dodgers might, though

While the Dodgers deal with a struggling Tucker in the heart of their lineup, the Cubs are enjoying a very successful April where they completed back-to-back sweeps against the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets. Through their first 25 games this year, the Cubs were third in the league in runs scored (139) and rode their longest winning streak since the 2016 season.

The Cubs can and are succeeding without Tucker, proving they did not have to shell out earth-shattering money like the Dodgers to field a competent offensive team. Moises Ballesteros has effectively taken Tucker's spot in the lineup - against right-handed pitching at least - with Seiya Suzuki moving back to right field. And fans are finally seeing why the Cubs were so high on Ballesteros, because he is currently leading all MLB rookies in almost every major hitting category.

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