The Chicago Cubs, this offseason, picked up the elite-level impact player they have been longing for since their World Series run.
In December, the team cut a deal with the Houston Astros for multi-tool right fielder Kyle Tucker, giving up third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and no. 1 draft pick Cam Smith. It was a hefty haul for a player heading into free agency at the end of the season, but the 28-year-old 3-time all-star should be worth the price.
Kyle Tucker, Living Up The Expectations
So far this season, Tucker has lived up to his reputation, co-leading the team in home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases while playing an immaculate defensive right field.
Seeing the effortlessly-elite asset in a Cubs uniform makes one hope for many more years in that Cubs uniform. Therein lies the cruel reality behind the tantalizing possibilities.
Tucker will command big-time money as a free agent, regarded as the best all-around outfielder in the 2026 class and, arguably, the best all-around position player, period. Estimates of what kind of contract he could land are all over the place, but a safe consensus feeling is that he could get a 10-year, $350 million deal as an in-his-prime position player who has been consistently outstanding throughout his career thus far.
And, unfortunately, that kind of money over that period of time seems well beyond the frugal Cubs’ ownership comfort zone. The team limped and repented its way through an 8-year, $184 million deal with Jason Heyward and they’re currently working through a 7-year, $177 million deal with Dansby Swanson, but the Tucker asking price is a few steps beyond either of those contracts.
Still, Tucker is excellent and proven in a way that neither Heyward nor Swanson were before becoming Cubs. He’s a true building block-type presence who will make all those around him better.
Chicago Cubs See Tucker As A Building Block Asset
In a recent interview with Marquee Sports Network, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer laid out that talking point and acknowledged that the team also sees him as a potential building block piece.
“Obviously he’s a great player, that’s why we traded for him. I think, clearly he’s the kind of player you wanna build a lineup around, build a team around,” Hoyer said. “I think any conversations we have with him we’ll keep internal, so there’s no point in asking all the time I guess, I know you will. But yeah, I just think…like I said, it’s a process. Listen I’m excited, I think he’ll learn what Wrigley’s all about over the next few months, which I think is really important. There’ll be nicer days than this that he’ll enjoy. But I’m excited to have him, and obviously like I said, you know, anyone wants a player like that long term.”
The hint inside the as-vague-as-possible quote is that the Cubs seem to be serious about trying to hold on to the right fielder.
Will Wrigley Sell Tucker On Chicago?
In a January interview with Spiegel & Holmes on 670 The Score, Hoyer spoke about how Wrigley Field and the loyal, vocal Cubs fans could sell Tucker on staying in Chicago.
“Playing some games in Wrigley in the middle of summer in front of those fans, I think that’s the kind of thing that that makes a huge difference,” Hoyer said. “I like to think I’m a pretty good salesman, but I’m not even close to as good a salesman as Wrigley Field and Chicago in the summer and those things and I think that stuff has a tendency to make a big impact.”
Money, however, makes a bigger impact. And if Chicago wants to keep Tucker as the linchpin to a winning Cubs franchise, they will have to spend beyond their comfort zone.
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