“I think fans want their teams to have the same kind of motivation that our ownership does.” As pointed out by Dave Roberts, setting aside the salary cap debate, MLB would be more competitive if more teams followed the Dodgers’ aggressive approach to building a roster. Small-market teams may not be able to drop $700 million on a single player. But couldn’t they spread that kind of money out over 20 years?

Take the Giants, for example. They were right there in the mix for Shohei Ohtani in 2023. But eventually backed off and signed Willy Adames instead on a 7-year, $182 million deal. Now, if you compare Adames’ AAV ($26M) to what the Dodgers are actually paying Ohtani each year (after all the deferred money, around $46M), San Francisco could’ve made it work.

Now, as Kyle Tucker heads into the offseason, insiders think the Dodgers may again hold the upper hand. And other teams are helping them take advantage of the system’s loopholes.

“What makes the Dodgers’ interest in Tucker all the more enraging for the rest of baseball is that they’d be adding to an embarrassment of riches. Calls for a salary cap ignore the simple fact that every lever the Dodgers pull to their advantage is available to 29 other teams,” Fansided’s Mark Powell pointed out.

The Dodgers relied on Michael Conforto for most of 2025 in the outfield. But his production just wasn’t there. Conforto hit only .199 with 12 HRs. Tucker, on the other hand, would be a massive upgrade. He’s one of the league’s premier hitters and provides solid defense.

This season, he hit 22 HRs and drove in 73 runs that would fit seamlessly into the Dodgers’ already star-studded lineup and keep them among the top contenders in the National League.

According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, Tucker could command around $418 million over 11 years. The Dodgers might try to lure him with a shorter, high-AAV deal. And if Tucker is looking for long-term security, a deferred contract makes perfect sense.

But if deferred money is such an effective tool, why aren’t the other 29 teams using it the same way to land the game’s biggest stars? It’s hard to fault the Dodgers for flexing their financial creativity when other clubs simply choose not to compete on the same level.

Tucker would come with a few risks for the Dodgers

The major reason is Tucker’s recent history of injury. After playing through a hairline fracture in his right hand during the 2025 season with the Cubs, Tucker’s offensive numbers dipped in the second half.

He also dealt with a calf strain that sidelined him for three weeks in September.

While these are not considered major long-term issues, they add a warning element for teams considering a long-term deal. For the Dodgers, putting north of $400 million on such an injury-prone player itself is a huge risk.

Moreover, the key focus of this offseason for the Dodgers will surely be their bullpen, with players like Kirby Yates failing to perform.

Putting $400 million on a single player could limit their chance to get a few reliable relief pitchers.

Still, if Tucker eventually ends up with the Dodgers, be prepared to witness the MLB power balance get more inclined towards LA. “Dodgers are ruining baseball” may start resurfacing. Unless the other 29 rip benefits from the loophole.