The Cubs might need to break open the piggy bank if they want to keep Kyle Tucker beyond this season.
Tucker has been everything Chicago hoped for since they acquired him from Houston in December, posting a .988 OPS through his first 21 games. But the three-time All-Star’s contract situation looms large – he’ll hit free agency this winter unless the Cubs can lock him up with an extension.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that while there’s “no indication” of active extension talks yet, the Cubs “may well talk this summer” with their new star outfielder.
What would it take to keep Tucker in Chicago? Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent 14-year, $500 million extension with Toronto provides an obvious comparison point. Tucker is arguably the better all-around player, but Guerrero has youth on his side – he’s 26 months younger than Tucker – plus greater star power and Toronto’s urgency to keep their franchise cornerstone.
The Cubs haven’t historically played in the $500 million neighborhood. Jason Heyward’s eight-year, $184 million contract still stands as the largest deal in franchise history. That’s not even in the same stratosphere as what Tucker will command.
It’s worth noting that players who get this close to free agency rarely sign extensions. The opportunity to create a bidding war among 30 teams typically outweighs the benefits of negotiating with just one.
Tucker’s price tag rises with every home run and highlight-reel play. The Cubs knew they were taking a calculated risk when they sent three valuable players to Houston for potentially just 162 games of Tucker. That gamble looks good so far on the field, but the long-term payoff depends entirely on whether ownership is prepared to make the type of financial commitment they’ve historically avoided.
