Cubs fans clinging to hope with optimistic rumor from a team insider

Regardless of how good the Chicago Cubs turn out to be this season, the storyline that will suffocate them will be Kyle Tucker's upcoming free agency.

Off to an MVP-caliber start to his first season with the Cubs, Tucker is on track to be the best position player on the market. For that reason alone, logic would suggest that Tucker is going to go the remainder of the season without signing an extension, and set the stage for his bidding this winter. Add in the fact that the Cubs have never signed a player to a contract larger than $200MM, and again, the logical belief is that Tucker will be a free agent this offseason.

However, there continue to be little inklings of hope for Cubs fans to attach themselves to. There seems to be a universal understanding that the Cubs should realize that Tucker is the player they should break their recent payroll trends for, and if they don't, the realization should also be that they never will if not for Tucker. Beyond that, Tucker is repped by Excel Sports Management, an agency the Cubs have worked successfully with in the past.

The biggest reason for optimism (yet) may have just been provided by David Kaplan of ESPN 1000. During his Cubs REKAP podcast, Kaplan shared that the Cubs are not only interested in signing Tucker but are willing to do what it takes to do so. When faced with doubt from his cohost, former Cubs' beat writer Gordon Wittenmyer, Kaplan doubled down with his belief that the Cubs will get a deal done.

A Kyle Tucker extension just got new life for Cubs fans

Now, Tucker has to be willing to sign an in-season extension. This is where our friends at Bleacher Nation come in handy. Michael Cerami reports that Tucker isn't against the idea of signing an in-season extension with the Cubs but wants to first confirm that he is in love with Wrigley Field and the organization.

The last part feels like a formality but again, it can't be overlooked that just because the Cubs want to do something and are willing to go the means to get it done, doesn't mean that it will happen. Having said that, this is the healthiest dose of optimism Cubs fans have had this season regarding a Tucker extension.