Kyle Tucker is joining Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and the back-to-back World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. 

As first reported by ESPN, the former Chicago Cubs right fielder has agreed to a free-agent deal with the Dodgers. The pact is worth $240 million over four yers, according to Fan Sided's Robert Murray. Tucker can opt out of the contract to become a free agent again after the 2027 and 2028 seasons. 

The agreement gives Tucker baseball's second highest average annual salary at $60 million a year. Only his new teammate, Ohtani, has a higher average annual salary at $70 million, and that deal is heavily backloaded. Tucker's deal has $30 million in deferred payments and includes a $64 million signing bonus, according to ESPN. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Dodgers for confirmation. 

LA is currently slated to pay eight-figure salaries to at least 14 players next season, including Ohtani, All-Star pitcher Blake Snell ($31m) and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($27m). 

As a result, the Dodgers are in line to pay a league-record $413 million in player salary and luxury taxes, according to Spotrac. That's nearly $100 million more than the next closet team, the New York Mets. 

Tucker was rumored to be getting offers of around $50 million per season after batting .266 with 22 homers, 73 RBIs and an .841 OPS during an injury-plagued 2025. 

The four-time All-Star was even better over seven seasons in Houston, hitting 89 home runs from 2022 to 2024 while winning a Gold Glove and finishing fifth in the MVP voting in 2023.

The Cubs will receive a compensatory draft pick because they extended a $22 million qualifying offer to Tucker, which he declined. 

Many thought Tucker was headed to New York after Mets owner Steve Cohen made a cryptic remark on X earlier Thursday evening: 'Let me know when you see smoke.'

Traditionally, white smoke emanating from the Vatican during conclave indicates a new Pope has been selected. 

Cohen did try to walk back his post before the Tucker news came in: 'For those who don't understand the pope election reference , we are waiting for a decision. That's all I know.' 

Naturally fans were displeased. As one wrote on X: 'Steve Cohen is a fraud.' 

Another added: 'I hope this tweet blows up in your face.' 

The Blue Jays also offered Tucker a long-term deal, according to ESPN.  

Tucker has battled injuries. He had a small hand fracture after a bad slide in June, and later hurt his calf in September.

And as impressive as his hot start was after being traded from Houston to Chicago in 2025, Tucker’s production dipped as he accrued more injuries. He hit just .231 with five homers in 41 games after the All-Star break.

The sure-handed right fielder was moved to designated hitter to accommodate his recovery as the Cubs reached the National League Division Series, where they ultimately fell to the Milwaukee Brewers.

He played just 78 games in 2024 due to a fractured right shin, but still managed to hit .289 with 23 home runs.

The fifth pick of the 2015 amateur draft, Tucker appeared in three World Series with Houston and won his only title in 2022.

For his career, Tucker has a .273 average with 147 home runs and 490 RBIs, not to mention 119 steals in 135 attempts. 

As good as the Dodgers’ lineup was in 2024 and 2025, it might be better in 2026. 

Ohtani will likely remain in the leadoff hole, while Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, Tucker, catcher Will Smith, third baseman Max Muncy and left fielder Teoscar Hernandez offer, perhaps, the best 2-7 hitters in baseball. 

With the announcement, the Dodgers are now +250 favorites to repeat as World Series champions, per Draft Kings sportsbook.