The Cubs traded for Kyle Tucker last December, landing a three-time All-Star outfielder with just one year of team control. Since then, there’s been almost no talk about extending him before he hits free agency.
If Chicago wants to keep Tucker beyond 2025, they’ll need to open their checkbook in a major way. How major? Try more than half a billion dollars.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts Tucker won’t be staying in Chicago long-term. Instead, he sees the star outfielder signing with an NL rival after the 2025 season — for a staggering sum.
“After a strong season with the Cubs, Kyle Tucker signs a 14-year, $604 million contract with the Phillies in free agency,” Bowden wrote. “The deal includes significant deferrals.”
That’s not a typo. $604 million.
What makes Tucker so valuable? He’ll hit free agency at just 28 years old, still firmly in his prime. He’s already established himself as one of baseball’s most consistent power-speed threats, with three All-Star appearances on his resume.
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For context, the largest contract the Cubs have ever handed out was Jason Heyward’s $184 million deal back in 2015. Tucker’s potential payday would more than triple that franchise record.
The Phillies already operate with a payroll over $300 million, while the Cubs have been more hesitant to reach those spending heights despite their big-market status. That financial gap could become even more pronounced if Bowden’s prediction comes true and Tucker lands in Philadelphia.
It’s still early, of course. The Cubs have this entire season to evaluate Tucker up close and potentially work on an extension. But if they’re serious about keeping him beyond 2025, they’ll need to prepare for a bidding war unlike anything in franchise history.
