Chicago Cubs’ possible Kyle Tucker backup plan, per insider, is a big (powerful) one

The Chicago Cubs brought Kyle Tucker over this past offseason, knowing that they’d be putting themselves in a tough spot.

The 28-year-old Tucker, who was acquired in a trade from the Houston Astros for Isaac Paredes, Heyden Wesneski, and Cam Smith, was headed into the last year of his contract before being eligible for free agency.

As the top outfielder on the 2026 free agent market– and, arguably, the best position player on the market– he would be in for a long, hefty contract. Most estimate the length of the contract to be 9-to-11 years at a price ranging anywhere from $400 million to $500 million.

Will They Or Won’t They Extend Kyle Tucker?

There’s great doubt that the frugal and conservative Cubs ownership would be willing to break open their piggy bank to take in such a contract.

Late last month, however, MLB insider David Kaplan had reported that, according to his sources, the Cubs had, at the very least, accepted that they would have to deal with a contract offer well beyond their comfort zone when it came to Tucker.

“I’m hearing that the Cubs have wrapped their brain around — now, it doesn’t mean he’ll accept it — have wrapped their brain around ‘Whatever it costs, we’re paying it.’ And they want to keep Tucker,” Kaplan said in an episode of the Cubs REKAP Podcast.

But the question also has to be asked whether Tucker wants to stay.

With big budget heavy hitters like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies reportedly eager to bid on Tucker’s services, the pull of ridiculous money may be too much for the multi-tool right fielder.

That means the Cubs may have to brace themselves for the loss of Tucker, even if they are, indeed, all-in when it comes to trying to keep him in Chicago.

That also means the Cubs will need a plan B when it comes to keeping a big bat in the middle of their lineup, something which has helped make the current team such an offensive dynamo.

A Chicago Cubs Backup Plan?

Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently speculated that first baseman Pete Alonso of the New York Mets could be that fill-in.

Per Bowden:

“Alonso entered Tuesday ranked fourth in MLB with a .965 OPS. He likely will opt out and get the long-term contract he sought last offseason before returning to the Mets on a two-year, $54 million deal. If he doesn’t stay in New York, Alonso would be a fit with several teams including the Phillies (Bryce Harper would seem willing to move back to the outfield for him), Cubs (they would have to be interested if they lose out on Tucker), Rangers and Mariners (both would benefit from his power bat and leadership, as would the Red Sox, particularly if they keep Rafael Devers at DH).”

Fitting Pete Alonso Into The Picture

Assuming that Cubs ownership would be willing to take some of the money supposedly earmarked for Tucker and dip into the deep end of the free agent pool, Alonso, who will be 31 in December, would come at a cheaper price and demand fewer years.

If Chicago did target Alonso and manage to outbid competing teams for his services, they would have to shuffle some things around to make it work.

Current first baseman, Michael Busch, for example, could possibly be moved over to third base (if Matt Shaw doesn’t pan out). Alonso could eventually even be moved over to DH if the Cubs are unable or unwilling to re-sign Seiya Suzuki after the 2027 season.

It’s a bit of a stretch, but there WILL be a need to pivot somewhere if signing Tucker is a lost cause.

The hole in the lineup will be one thing, but the public relations disaster of again losing out on a star because of money would be massive.

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