Dodgers notes: Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, DodgerFest 2026

The hot stove is beginning to sizzle again, and some notable moves took place that could shake up the free agent market.

Third baseman Alex Bregman will play for his third team in as many year, as he agreed to a five-year, $175 million with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The move by Chicago all but excludes them from retaining outfielder Kyle Tucker, who has been the most sought after free agent this offseason despite remaining unsigned. Tucker will certainly demand a hefty contract, but should he not get the annual salary he’s looking for from other potential suitors like the Toronto Blue Jays or New York Mets, the Dodgers would be the team to latch him on a shorter term deal with a higher AAV, notes Sonja Chen of MLB.com.

Tucker is believed to be seeking a longer-term deal, and it would be surprising if the Dodgers took on another contract of that ilk. But if Tucker doesn’t receive the offers he’s looking for and becomes open to a shorter-term contract with a high average annual value, then he could be a prime target for L.A.

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Bo Bichette’s name has recently been linked to the Philadelphia Phillies, as the team is willing to take on a long-term deal ranging from six to eight years with the middle infielder. As is the case with Tucker, the Dodgers, as reported by Matt Gelb of The Athletic, would be more inclined to a short-term deal with a higher AAV.

The Boston Red Sox might be more desperate. The Los Angeles Dodgers might be mightier. The New York Yankees might have a better sales pitch. But the Phillies might be the only team willing to extend to six, seven or eight years to sign Bichette… The Dodgers have lurked in the higher end of this free-agent market with shorter-term scenarios that carry bigger annual salaries.

DodgerFest 2026 will be back at Dodger Stadium on Saturday Jan. 31, and Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register has more on the details surrounding the event.