The Chicago Cubs have kicked off the season in unexpectedly strong fashion, arguably more impressively than any other team in Major League Baseball — and they’d be wise to savor it while it lasts.
As of Tuesday, the Cubs hold a solid lead atop the National League Central with a 22-14 record. They’ve benefited from unexpected performances by players like Carson Kelly and Pete Crow-Armstrong, though Kyle Tucker’s standout play has been more anticipated.
Tucker, a three-time All-Star with the Houston Astros, is widely considered one of the premier outfielders in baseball. The Cubs’ high-profile trade for him this past offseason signaled their determination to break their playoff drought.
However, this season may be their only real window to contend with Tucker in the lineup, as he’s poised to hit free agency after the season unless the Cubs can lock him into a long-term deal.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes Tucker could land a massive contract, even predicting a \$500 million deal — comparing him favorably to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “He’ll be just 29 next year and combines elite power and speed,” Passan noted, suggesting Tucker could easily command over \$400 million.
But that kind of price tag may be beyond what the Cubs are willing to spend. MLB insider Jon Heyman mentioned on 670 The Score that a rival executive said Tucker should be offered \$500 million — something Heyman believes the Cubs simply won’t do. “That’s not the Cubs,” he remarked, though he acknowledged they still need to make a strong offer.
Unfortunately for Chicago fans, even a solid proposal may fall short of what it takes to retain one of baseball’s elite talents.
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