Dodgers analyst Doug McKain has urged Los Angeles to avoid chasing another expensive free agent like Kyle Tucker after the outfielder's disappointing 2026 regular season. McKain believes the team should give Tucker a chance to bounce back rather than immediately pursue another major signing.
The Dodgers' 2026 postseason campaign ended in disappointment as their bid for a third consecutive World Series title fell short. After finishing the regular season with a 100-62 record and winning the National League West, Los Angeles advanced through the Division Series but was swept 4-0 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.
The Dodgers struggled offensively throughout the championship series, losing the first two games in Milwaukee before dropping the next two at home. The Brewers completed the sweep with a 6-4 victory in Game 4 on October 15. Tucker also endured an inconsistent first regular season with Los Angeles, even dropping to eighth in the batting order at one point. However, he performed better in the postseason, batting .333 with a .938 OPS across eight games.
Speaking on 97.1 The Fan LA, McKain argued that the Dodgers should resist the temptation to spend heavily on another star and instead see whether Tucker can rediscover his form.
"Don't buy another Kyle Tucker. Just let Kyle Tucker prove that he's still in there. He was great in the postseason. He was terrible in the regular season. The last thing I want to see the Dodgers do is for them to tell themselves, 'Oh, let's throw money at another big free agent. Get another two- or $300 million player because Kyle Tucker did not produce in the regular season.' I think that's the first thing," said McKain.
Tucker appeared in 154 regular-season games, recording a .233 batting average, 17 home runs, and 70 RBIs.
Following Los Angeles' elimination, Kyle Tucker shared a message of appreciation for fans on Instagram. He posted a video featuring moments from his 2026 season and thanked supporters for standing by the team through its ups and downs. The post's caption read:
"Through every high and low, thank you to our fans for riding with us all season. We appreciate the love and support more than you know. This isn't the end — we'll be back," wrote Kyle Tucker.
Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers in January 2026. According to the New York Post via Yahoo Sports , he entered October with a .715 OPS, the lowest since his 2018 debut season, when he played 28 games.
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