The Chicago Cubs got off on the wrong foot with incoming star Kyle Tucker.
By failing to come to terms on a 2025 salary– they offered $15 million, Tucker wanted $17.5 million– and sending things to arbitration, the Cubs front office established a barrier between the two sides that may never be overcome.
This past December, the Cubs acquired Tucker via trade from the Houston Astros for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and highly-regarded third base prospect Cam Smith. For Chicago, it was considered a hefty price paid for a player in Tucker, who would be eligible for free agency at the end of the 2025 season. However, the trade was also lauded by fans and media as a shot in the arm for the Cubs’ chances at making the playoffs.
The Chicago Cubs Kyle Tucker Blunder
While considered unlikely that the notoriously frugal Cubs ownership would come up with the multi-year mega-bucks package needed to extend free agent Tucker after this season, this tactical blunder over a $2.5 million salary discrepancy may remove that option from the board entirely.
But the Cubs’ loss is others’ gain.
New York Yankees, Ready To Pounce?
Chief among those teams surely lined up to bid on the services of the legit multi-tool star are the free-spending powerhouse New York Yankees.
After having lost Juan Soto to free agency this offseason, the Yankees went on a talent hunt to fill the void and save organizational face, acquiring talent such as starting pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and even Cody Bellinger from the Cubs via trade.
Now, it’s quite likely that Tucker will be targeted when this season is over.
Christopher Kline of FanSided recently blasted the Cubs organization for their dealings with Tucker and, simultaneously, opined that the Yankees would reap the benefits of the misstep.
Per Kline:
“Honestly… what on earth is [Cubs president of baseball operations] Jed Hoyer thinking? We know players can hold grudges when it comes to arbitration hearings. Chicago is basically telling their prized offseason acquisition he’s not worth an extra $2.5 million when he could be raking in north of $40 million annually before long. The Cubs are not acting like a serious organization. How can you expense the necessary assets to trade for a star of Tucker’s caliber, and then get stingy in the arbitration room? There is legitimately no excuse.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are lurking. Their post-Juan Soto plans don’t necessarily end this offseason. Whether it’s Tucker or fellow 2025 free agent Vladimir Guerrero Jr., you can bet the Yankees are eyeing the next crop of available superstars. Tucker is an especially clean fit as he can slot into Soto’s now-vacant outfield position. Perhaps he’d line up next to another former Cub, Cody Bellinger.
New York tends to spend aggressively when there’s a clear path to contention. The Cubs… not so much.”
Taken For Granted, Tucker Is Gone
Well, that pretty much sums up the opinion of just about everyone at this point.
It’s taken for granted that Tucker will be a one-year and done impact player for the Cubs. And if the trade doesn’t result in a playoff run in that one year of Tucker’s services, it could be regarded as one of the worst trades in modern Cubs history.
The Cubs may repair their relationship with Tucker, but that won’t keep teams like the Yankees from luring him away with the kind of money Chicago would never spend.
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