After a spectacular offseason, the Chicago Cubs come into the 2025 season as one of the better teams in the National League.
The Cubs checked everything off their wishlist for this season by accomplishing everything they set out to do. The Cubs needed to fill four major holes on their roster: acquire a superstar, obtain a lockdown closer, add more depth to the bench, and add another catcher to pair with Miguel Amaya.
The Cubs did all four by making trades with the Houston Astros to acquire Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly, signing Jon Berti and Nicky Lopez for the bench, and signing veteran catcher Carson Kelly to have another option at the catching position.
One question, however, that will linger over the Cubs this spring and into the season, will be whether the Cubs can ink Tucker to a long-term deal.
Why it will be hard for the Chicago Cubs to sign Tucker long-term
The likelihood that the Cubs sign Tucker to a contract extension this spring or this season is slim, given how the free agent market shaped out this offseason. Tucker is a superstar player, and he won’t get anywhere near the contract Juan Soto got, but he definitely will receive something in the $300-$400 million range for close to 10+ years.
The Cubs have shown time after time that they won’t give out long-term deals or sign a player to that type of contract. This behavior by the Cubs was on full display this offseason, with the Cubs finishing fourth in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes. The Cub’s offer to Bregman was a mere four-year $115 million deal, which was blown out of the water by the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox, who ended up signing him.
According to MLB.com Mark Feinsand, the biggest question for Tucker and the Cubs will be, does Tucker want to sign an extension, or does he want to test free agency?
“The biggest question is whether the three-time All-Star has his sights set on testing free agency next offseason, though the Cubs will likely try to get a deal done before he reaches that point.”
The statistical career of Tucker
Tucker, who will be playing in his eighth season, has been an outstanding player for his career. The 6-4 lefty is a career 23.0 WAR player and a career slash line of .274/.353/.516 for an OPS and OPS+ of .870 and 139.
Tucker has also been named to the All-Star team three times in his career and has finished in the top 20 for MVP three times finishing as high as fifth in 2023. The 212lbs right fielder also has a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger on his resume.
Hopefully, a deal can get done
Hopefully, both sides can come together, and get a deal done before Tucker makes it to free agency.
The Cubs gave up a massive haul to obtain Tucker, and they certainly don’t want a Juan Soto situation on their hands, like the New York Yankees did last season.
The Cubs have a shot at getting a deal done with Tucker not being represented by Scott Boras, who rarely has his clients sign extensions.
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