Could Rob Manfred be killing the Cubs' chances to re-sign Kyle Tucker?

While the Chicago Cubs are smack dab in the middle of a pennant chase, fans would be remiss if they weren't also keeping one eye on the upcoming offseason.

One of the best players to come through Wrigley in quite some time is due to be a free agent this winter, and Jed Hoyer has made it clear he would love to sign Kyle Tucker to an extension that makes him a Cub for life. Unfortunately, a new degree of difficulty might have popped up with commissioner Rob Manfred's reported push for a salary cap in the sport.

Earlier this week, Bruce Meyer, the second-in-command at the Major League Baseball Players Association, said Manfred is gearing up to push for a salary cap. It's something that's been mentioned off-hand before, but never considered something the MLBPA would allow. According to Meyer, this new push isn't any more welcome. He added that players bear "the right amount of skepticism."

Chicago Cubs extension hopes for Kyle Tucker clouded by looming salary-cap push

A salary cap will obviously affect every team and every player, so what's the direct effect when it comes to the Chicago Cubs and Kyle Tucker? Unfortunately, this is precisely the kind of situation Tom Ricketts might look to take advantage of, to the detriment of Cubs fans everywhere.

This salary cap won't be an easy or quick solution, even if the MLBPA agrees to it. It's something that almost certainly won't come until the subsequent collective bargaining agreement.

The current deal won't expire until December 2026. But, if Ricketts decides he wants to hold off on any big spending until he has the benefit of a cap, then the Cubs can kiss Tucker goodbye.

Ricketts has often talked about how the team doesn't have the resources for payroll that fans think they do. There's that famous "barely breaking even" comment he's uttered more than once that no one really believes.

That no one really believes the Ricketts family is hurting for money could be another reason why he'd wait for the salary cap. On the one hand, he could claim this winter that he didn't want to sign any massive contracts until he knew where the cap was set. And then, once the cap is here, he's got the artificial roof in place, so he doesn't have to spend what most expect a big market club like the Cubs should be spending.

The concern that Chicago would let Kyle Tucker walk after another great season was in place the moment they acquired him. Fears that the sport is bracing for a massive fight once the current CBA expires only compound that worry.

Chicago Cubs fans are already on edge. This purported push for a salary cap is just the latest reason to worry that Ricketts might get in his own way, with a rather unfortunate helping hand from Rob Manfred.