LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Dodgers made a clear and defiant statement late Thursday night to all of baseball and for all of professional sports for that matter by signing four-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker. It shows the reality of power and money that is our world today.
We can talk about all the possibilities of a World Series three-peat for Los Angeles in 2026 and beyond, but the reality of it all is that it shows us how things work in our world today. Money makes money. Tucker will earn $240 million across four years ($60 million average annual value) with opt-outs after the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
The Dodgers are a very wealthy organization, like many others. The difference, though, is that they use those resources to continually try to improve their ballclub each year. Yes, the Blue Jays, Phillies, and Cubs seem to be in that mix, but the Dodgers have become something I never thought I would see in this sport.
The Dodgers proved once again how they are on a whole different level compared to the rest of Major League Baseball with the signing of Kyle Tucker – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
They have gone way beyond anything we saw with the successful Yankee teams under the great George Steinbrenner for three decades.
I don’t know, maybe it is the whole Hollywood atmosphere out here in Los Angeles that makes everything they do seem so explosive and exciting to fans on and off the field. Maybe it is the amazing weather, as it was 80 degrees on Friday at Dodger Stadium—two weeks into January 2026. Or could it just be that this organization makes loyal fans out here believe their baseball team will do whatever it takes to field a winning team every year?
52,000 in the seats almost every night is the result of a brilliant front office and ownership that are not afraid to spend money to bring in the best of the best to Hollywood.
I would guess that Tucker had a few offers that had a bigger money value than what he will get from the Dodgers, but the very good possibility of another World Series ring and more down the road, the exciting atmosphere of being surrounded by famous celebrities every night, and the incredible weather is a no-brainer for a talented, 29-year-old ballplayer.
That being said, where does he fit in that already powerful and stacked lineup? And who will be out to make room for him on that 40-man roster? The Dodgers still have the No. 1 ranked minor league system in all of baseball despite having to pick at the bottom on Draft Day each year. Signing Tucker, as well as two-time LatinoMVP Reliever of the Year Edwin Díaz will cost them dearly in the 2026 MLB Draft and through international pool money. But the rewards outweigh all of that.
With Tucker off the board, the dominoes already began to fall, as less than 24 hours after his signing, the New York Mets came to an agreement with two-time All-Star Bo Bichette. The Brazilian-American infielder, a former Blue Jay, spending his entire MLB career alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Toronto, reportedly landed in Queens on a three-year deal worth $126 million with multiple opt-outs in the contract.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette developed together in the Toronto Blue Jays’ farm system and soon after making their MLB Debut in 2019 became the overwhelming stars of the organization – Image Credit: Latino Sports
Vladdy Jr., a longtime friend and now an opponent, had a heartfelt message for Bichette following the news, per sportscaster Hazel Mae:
“Of course, I feel sad after playing with him for so many years, but like I’ve always said, this is a business, and you have to look out for what’s best for you and your family. I wish him the best. We won’t be teammates anymore, but our friendship will last forever.”
This move seemed a bit too late in the offseason for the Mets’ boisterous owner, Steven A. Cohen, who has put people in charge of bringing a World Series championship to Queens, who seem to be making a number of questionable moves lately.
Bichette hitting in front of Pete Alonso, instead of recently acquired Jorge Polanco of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, sounds better to me.
The loyal orange and blue fanbase has not seen a championship in 40 years, and when you’re the man in charge of making that happen, President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, says things like: “We are committed universally from ownership on down to ensure that the next five years of the Mets are better.”
Listening to that, Mets fans are probably saying, “Houston, we have a problem!”
Despite the chaotic offseason for the Amazin’ with key departures, Bichette adds an elite skillset of offensive firepower and clutch hitting to pair along with both multiple-time LatinoMVP Award winners Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. And it has been reported that the Mets plan on having Bichette play third base though time can only tell what will occur.
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
