Once again, a major signing has taken place. The Los Angeles , affectionately dubbed the First Order, have reportedly secured star outfielder Kyle Tucker on a four-year deal worth $240 million as of Thursday night. This figure notably exceeds the ‘ projected total payroll of $400 million in 2026. However, the contract includes deferred payments, making the salary distribution tiered.
So, what exactly does deferring a contract mean? In Major League Baseball, teams can arrange to delay portions of a player’s payments if the player agrees. This means a player might receive part of their contract dollars even after the official end of their playing agreement—for instance, receiving $1 million annually for five years post-contract.
Looking at Tucker’s deal specifically, he holds opt-out clauses after years two and three and will earn $64 million in signing bonuses. Out of the total $240 million, $30 million will be deferred. ESPN reports that when considering these deferrals, Tucker’s average annual salary is a record-setting $57.1 million, just shy of $60 million under a typical contract structure. This approach also lessens the ‘ luxury tax burden.
To land Tucker, the surrendered their No. 3 and No. 6 selections in the 2026 MLB Draft. This followed Tucker turning down a qualifying offer from the Chicago Cubs, the team he played for last season. Additionally, earlier this offseason, the signed former Mets closer Edwin Diaz, forfeiting their No. 2 and No. 5 picks in the same draft plus $1 million in international bonus pool money due to Diaz accepting a qualifying offer.
For those wondering about Kyle Tucker’s background, he spent his first seven MLB seasons (2018-2024) with the Houston Astros before being traded to the Cubs after the 2024 offseason. Despite missing time over the past two years due to calf and shin injuries, Tucker still produced impressive metrics: 4.7 wins above replacement in 78 games during 2024 and 4.6 WAR in 136 games in 2025. A Gold Glove winner in 2022, Tucker is also a two-time Silver Slugger and four-time All-Star. In 2023, he led the American League with 112 RBIs and posted an OPS above 1.400.
Fan Take: This blockbuster deal highlights the ‘ commitment to building a powerhouse team and sets a new financial benchmark in MLB contracts. For fans, Tucker’s move promises thrilling baseball ahead and signals the increasing financial stakes that continue to shape the future of the sport.
