When the Chicago Cubs traded for Houston Astros star outfielder Kyle Tucker, Cubs fans let out an almost literal “whoop” of excitement.
This, they believed, was the indication that their team was, indeed, “all in” as the front office has said during this offseason. A good team with some good assets was now ready to add an impact player or two to put them over the top and kick off a run on post-season baseball.
Giving up top prospect Cam Smith, high-potential pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third basemen Isaac Paredes was a reasonable price to pay for a young, established star like Tucker, who could be the corner stone of a winning atmosphere for years to come.
Chicago Cubs Fans From Elated to Frustrated
Four days later, however, the Cubs traded away, arguably, their runner-up best offensive and defensive asset Cody Bellinger to the Yankees for the small return of middle reliever Cody Poteet.
The blatant salary dump felt like a slap in the face to the fans who had been over the moon about a lineup that seemed to have gone from milquetoast to potent overnight.
Worst of all for hopeful fans was the realization that the Bellinger salary dump brought to them regarding Tucker. The ever-budget-minded Cubs would probably lose the star to free agency after this season and, perhaps, are already resigned to saying goodbye.
Even during the press conference to introduce Tucker to Chicago, the soon-to-be 28-year-old was noncommittal about the possibility of staying in Chicago after the 2025 season.
“I’m always open to talks and see where it leads. You never know what the future is going to hold. We’ll see how things progress,” Tucker told the assembled media.
His response was practically an “I’m not unpacking my bags” splash of cold water in the faces of Cubs fans.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer’s counter to questions of re-signing Tucker was another shot of cold water to fans.
“There is no point in speculating on that today as we sit here in December,” Hoyer told ESPN.
Budget-Minded To The Extreme
President of the Chicago Cubs talks to the media before a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
ESPN staff writer Jesse Rogers affirmed the Cubs ownership’s “not really all in” status when it comes to their financial bottom line and willingness to spend top dollar to take a shortcut to team success.
Per Rogers:
“The addition of a new television network in 2020 hasn’t been the cash cow the team thought it would be, according to sources familiar with the situation. Meanwhile, private equity investment has ownership answering to more than just a handful of local minority investors like it did previously. The bottom line is more of a concern than ever, with some industry observers believing the Cubs won’t sign a megadeal for a player before the next labor agreement is negotiated with the players after the 2026 season.
That means Tucker could be one-and-done at Wrigley Field. After Soto helped set the market when he signed for $765 million, the soon-to-be free agent has likely already priced himself out of Chicago. Signing an extension before he hits free agency seems unlikely and some industry observers already believe the odds are low that he will re-sign with Chicago next winter.”
Sobering, but not surprising words about a team that, as we speak, is looking to figuratively clip coupons and acquire players with the savings from dealing Bellinger.
Follow me on Twitter at @boxing_tribune, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Paul Magno via email at paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.
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