Why the Cubs must let Kyle Tucker hit free agency

The Chicago Cubs swung for the fences over the off-season, landing Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Astros. Tucker helped Chicago reach the playoffs for the first time in five years as the team secured a wild card berth. However, the Cubs fell in the NLDS, losing to the division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers.

Now, with Tucker entering free agency, Chicago must resist spending a fortune to keep the All-Star right fielder in town. While the fallen year could reduce Tucker’s price on the open market, the Cubs would be best off avoiding a bidding war altogether.

In search of a spark

The decision to acquire Tucker from the Astros was a gamble, but it mostly paid off. Chicago had the pieces, but the team failed to make the playoffs four years in a row. After back-to-back 83-79 finishes, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer needed to give the Cubs a spark.

Tucker was Hoyer’s answer. And the tent addition moved the needle. Chicago improved to 92-70 in 2025, making the postseason for the first time since 2020. The Cubs then won their first playoff series in eight years.

Prior to his arrival in Chicago, Tucker had three consecutive outstanding seasons from 2021-2023. And he could have had the best season of his career in 2024 if an injury hadn’t limited him to 78 games.

Tucker boasts a rare blend of speed and power. He has 30/30 potential even if he hasn’t joined the club yet. In fact, Tucker hit 30 home runs and stole 30 bases, just not in the same season. Although he was close with 29 homers and 30 steals in 2023.

In addition to his offensive contributions, Tucker is a strong defender with a Gold Glove to prove it. He allowed the Cubs to upgrade their outfield while trading Cody Bellinger. I Tucker’s $16.5 million salary for 2025, it was just over half of what Bellinger was supposed to make. Therefore, the acquisition was also fiscally prudent.

However, the move was risky. Tucker entered the final year of his contract in 2025 and the Cubs gave up a catch to bring him to the North Side. Chicago sent All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes to the Astros, promising first-round pick Cam Smith and pitcher Hayden Wesneski. That’s a substantial package for a year’s rent.

Money talks and the Cubs keep quiet

But Chicago likely operated under the assumption that Tucker would only be in town for the 2025 campaign. The Cubs opted not to negotiate a long-term contract with the four-time All-Star during the offseason. And both sides were steadfastly noncommittal when discussing a potential extension with the media.

Tucker’s expected price is clearly the biggest hurdle for Chicago. The veteran outfielder is expected to command a $400 million contract. At one point it was rumored to coincide with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension. And some unusual insiders had Taker signs a $600 million contract.

Tucker likely got out of the higher end of his estimated free agency market. But he will still attract a lot of interest from clubs in need of a strong corner outfielder. And if it is The Dodgers and Yankees are getting involvedthe price could jump.

Massive multi-year contracts are not in the Cubs’ comfort zone. Jason Heyward’s eight-year, $184 million contract in 2015 remains the largest contract in franchise history. Since then, only Dansby Swanson’s contract (seven years, 177 million dollars 2023) has cracked nine digits, according to Spotrak.

So Chicago is not to be confused with Los Angeles or New York or even Philadelphia. The Phillies currently have six contracts over $100 million on the books. And Philadelphia could be interested in signing Tucker likewise.

Season audition

The question of the Cubs extending Tucker essentially begins and ends with money. But the player’s price isn’t the only factor that should give Chicago pause.

Tucker started his Cubs tenure on a tear. The 28-year-old outfielder slashed .291/.395/.537 with 17 home runs, 52 RBI and 61 runs scored in his first 83 games in Chicago. He led a dynamic Cubs offense and the team looked poised to win the division.

Unfortunately, a strong start was marred by a second-half slump. Tucker is hitting just .225 with a .690 OPS, five home runs and 21 RBI over his last 53 games. The manager Craig Counsell benched Tucker in an effort to snap him out of his funk. Eventually, the Cubs discovered a fracture in his hand, which contributed to the slump.

When his hand healed, Tucker suffered another setback. A calf strain led to IL it cost him 21 games in September. It was his second extended trip to IL in two years. During the 2024 season, Tucker missed 84 games after fouling the ball off his shin.

Both of his 2025 injuries occurred during Chicago’s run as the Brewers clinched the division, clinching the top seed in the NL. The Cubs were forced to settle for a Wild Card spot.

Struggles in the postseason

Tucker, however, failed to make much of an impact in the postseason. Still dealing with a lingering calf injury, the Gold Glove right fielder was limited to DH duties. And, still trapped in a long slump, Tucker struggled at the plate. The eight-year veteran had one extra-base hit and one RBI in eight playoff games.

Of course, the Cubs shouldn’t put too much emphasis on one postseason performance. But it’s worth noting that Tucker has struggled in the playoffs throughout his career. He has 17 extra-base hits in 245 at-bats in the postseason. And he’s hitting .233 with a .692 OPS in 72 career playoff games.

Regardless, Tucker will enter his age-29 season in 2026. He’s still in his prime and the ailments he’s suffered over the past two seasons were self-inflicted. It would be unfair to view Taker as injury prone. But the Cubs are no doubt weighing every aspect of performance and durability as they consider expansion. Especially when the player will cost four times the team’s current maximum contract.