The Chicago Cubs appear to look like a playoff team with the acquisitions they have made so far, but can their newfound superstar lead them to the promise land?
The Chicago Cubs hope to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and look to win their first playoff win in almost eight years. So far, with the acquisitions they have made they already appear better than the eighty-three win team they were last season. For the Chicago Cubs to be good in 2025, but also to achieve their goal of making the playoff they will need a big season from their newly acquired superstar Kyle Tucker for that to happen.
Why the Chicago Cubs need a big season from Kyle Tucker?
The Cubs acquired three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros that sent them prospect Cam Smith, third basemen Isaac Paredes, and right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski. The Chicago Cubs needed to go out and acquire a superstar this offseason and they did just that when they acquired Gold Glover Kyle Tucker. Kyle Tucker has established himself as not only one of the best outfielders in the game but one of the best players period.
Finishing in the MVP voting three times so far in his career each time moving up in the voting with his highest finish so far coming in 2023 in which he finished in fifth place. If it weren’t for an injury that derailed what could’ve been his MVP clinching season in 2024, a healthy Kyle Tucker in 2025 could certainly win the National League MVP. For his career Kyle Tucker is a .274/.353/.515 hitter with an OPS and OPS+ of .870 and 139.
In an article in MLB.com by Will Leitch he lists Kyle Tucker as one of the players he feels will “define baseball” in 2025. He wrote speaking of Tucker by saying:
“Will he be the best Cub since … peak Kris Bryant? Sammy Sosa? It remains to be seen if Tucker will remain at Wrigley Field beyond this season, but for 2025, he’s the superstar this fanbase has been waiting for. His arrival instantly makes the Cubs the favorites in the NL Central, and the regulars at the Friendly Confines are going to love him. For years we’ve been saying he’s underrated, underappreciated, even under-seen. That’s not going to be a problem when he’s wearing a Cubs uniform.”
Kyle Tucker won’t be underrated anymore
During his time with the Houston Astros Kyle Tucker was relegated to the background for the most part with the Houston Astros franchise player being Jose Altuve and them already having Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa already on the roster by the time he arrived. Even though Tucker put up MVP type of numbers he never received the fan for or “respect” he truly deserved with playing in Houston. Now over with the Chicago Cubs, Tucker figures to be to superstar of the team and the guy the Cubs turn to as their franchise player.
Kyle Tucker is set to make $16.7 million this season in arbitration and is set to become a free agent after this season. It would be imperative for the Cubs to get a contract extension done to keep Tucker around and make him the centerpiece they build around for years to come.
For the Chicago Cubs to be a great team this season and make the postseason they will need Kyle Tucker to stay healthy and perform to the MVP type of player he is capable of playing to for that to happen. Bringing power to a lineup that lacked it last year Tucker figures to be a force in the heart of the lineup with FanGraphs projecting him to bat second behind Ian Happ and in front of Seiya Suzuki giving the Cubs a solid one through three in their order.
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