MLB Rumors: Chicago Cubs’ Delay in Kyle Tucker Extension Could Prove Costly Amid MVP-Caliber Start
The Chicago Cubs are already feeling the heat from not locking up superstar Kyle Tucker to a long-term extension—and the consequences may grow more severe with every game he plays.
Fresh off watching Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ink a historic 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Cubs now face a ticking clock with Tucker, who is quickly positioning himself as the top prize of the 2025 free agent class.
Tucker’s Red-Hot Start Raises the Stakes
Through the early days of the 2025 season, Tucker has been nothing short of sensational. He currently leads the majors in WAR (1.1), runs (14), hits (17), and total bases (37). He’s also pacing the National League in home runs (5), RBIs (16), and OPS (1.165).
In short: Tucker is making himself more expensive with every plate appearance.
Had the Cubs acted earlier this offseason, they may have secured the 27-year-old for a more reasonable deal. Now, with the market reset by Guerrero’s $500M contract, Tucker’s price tag has skyrocketed, and the Cubs’ hesitancy could cost them dearly—either financially or on the field.
Cubs Front Office in a Bind
The situation puts president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer in a tough spot. Not only is he navigating the Tucker extension drama, but he’s also juggling expiring contracts for Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, along with a talented outfield prospect pool that's currently blocked.
Top prospects like Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcántara, and James Triantos are waiting in the wings, but without clarity on the future of Tucker and the rest of the outfield, Hoyer’s ability to pull off a bold trade deadline move is hampered.
Worse yet, Cubs ownership under Tom Ricketts has emphasized cost-efficiency over star-studded payrolls—raising doubts about whether the club will meet Tucker’s inevitably high demands.
A Missed Opportunity for Early Leverage
Locking Tucker in before the 2025 season could have provided roster flexibility and opened the door for an aggressive midseason upgrade. Instead, the team faces uncertainty—and rising pressure. According to Baseball Reference, the Cubs have a 90.2% chance to make the postseason and MLB’s highest World Series odds at 14.8%.
This team is built to win now, and Tucker is a huge part of that. But if he walks in free agency, the window could close just as quickly as it opened.
Final Thoughts
Tucker’s torrid start has made one thing crystal clear: The longer the Cubs wait, the more they'll have to pay—or risk losing him entirely.
Whether Chicago steps up to the plate with a Guerrero-sized offer remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office can’t afford to wait much longer.
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