Kyle Tucker signs with NL West powerhouse and Cubs fans know exactly why

One of the reasons why the Chicago Cubs went to the lengths they did to sign Alex Bregman this offseason is that Bregman should provide the one thing the Cubs expected from Kyle Tucker last season but never received. Tucker, when healthy, is one of the best offensive players in baseball, and that certainly drove Chicago to trade for him last winter, but they were hoping that he could bring the championship pedigree from Houston to the Wrigley Field clubhouse.

Tucker's presence faded to the background toward the end of last season, and it's likely why the Cubs felt comfortable giving $175 million to Bregman but not the National League Silver Slugger they already had on their roster. Instead, the Cubs were an afterthought in Tucker's market this offseason, and the All-Star outfielder has finally decided on his new home as Tucker has inked a massive multi-year deal with the Dodgers.

In recent weeks, the Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets emerged as the favorites for the Tucker. Throughout the entire offseason, it's felt like it was only a matter of time before Tucker landed in Toronto. While the Mets did make a compelling offer, Cubs fans know all too well why Tucker chose Los Angeles.

Kyle Tucker joins Dodgers, and Cubs fans already know what went wrong

There's no discrediting the impact Tucker had on the Cubs' offense during the first half of the 2025 season. It singlehandedly won him Silver Slugger honors and is one of the reasons why the Cubs' offseason was a juggernaut to open the season.

Tucker's second half, however, was the origin of his perplexing free agency. Tucker suffered a hand injury during the middle months of the season, and while the Cubs reportedly wanted him to go on the IL, he opted to play through it. The result was a prolonged offensive slump that seemed to be giving away in August, only for him to suffer a calf injury that sidelined him for most of the final month of the regular season. Not to mention, he left the team to seek treatment from his own training staff.

It was an odd set of circumstances to close out Tucker's lone season with the Cubs, and it's no should really be surprised to see him choose LA. The Dodgers are a perennial World Series contender and while Tucker may prefer to be away from the limelight, $60 million a year has a way of convincing guys to be more open to their work environment.

Tucker has earned the right to get his bag and he certainly did that with this deal ($60 million a year is crazy) and the Dodgers are once again the villain and end boss of the entire league again.