Bizarre Kyle Tucker landing spot would be impossible for Cubs to swallow

The expectation is that Kyle Tucker will be playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers next season. The Chicago Cubs certainly won't be the team to set his market, despite trading one of their top prospects for him last offseason, and the Dodgers have a clear need in the outfield. Add in that the Dodgers won't be afraid to spend money, even with the looming work stoppage, and Tucker to Los Angeles makes all the sense in the world.

But, this is Tucker we are talking about. The All-Star outfielder isn't expected to have the free-agent circus that followed Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in recent years, and with Scott Boras not involved, there is a chance that this winter's top free agent makes a surprising decision...to play for the Tampa Bay Rays?

The idea of Tucker playing for his hometown team was mentioned during the regular season, and it seems that some in league circles have floated the possibility. However, ESPN's Jesse Rogers was quick to squash it.

"There was some fun chatter about him joining his hometown Rays under new ownership, but a megadeal from Tampa isn't likely. Industry insiders begin analysis of Tucker with the phrase, "when he's healthy." He's as good as it gets at the plate when he is, but a couple of injuries over the past two seasons have thrown a wrench into his overall production."

The Tampa Bay Rays signing Kyle Tucker would be an hilarious indictment of the Chicago Cubs.

Even with a thumb and calf injury igniting an offensive slump during the second half of the season, the expectation is that Tucker will get top dollar this offseason. While some contract projections are under $300MM, others believe the deal could exceed $400MM. The idea of the Rays being the one to make that deal would laugh in the face of the Cubs' approach, considering Tampa Bay's small-market philosophy is what they adore.

It's an awkward spot the Cubs find themselves in when it comes to Tucker. At the start of the season, there was a sense that if they weren't going to be willing to pay Tucker, then would they ever be ready to spend at the top of the free-agent market? Now, a legitimate case can be made that the Cubs are making the right approach by not being at the forefront of Tucker's bidding. The issue will be if they pocket the money they have saved this offseason and do nothing to replace Tucker's impact.