Cubs Rumors: MLB insider emphatically slams the door on potential Kyle Tucker reunion

When the Chicago Cubs sent top prospect Cam Smith to the Houston Astros in a trade package for Kyle Tucker last winter, all signs pointed to Jed Hoyer finally pushing his chips in. Fans expected it was the first of many moves to come, either later in the winter or at this summer's trade deadline - but that's not been the case.

Hoyer and the Chicago front office instead clung to their marginal value-obsessed way of thinking, admittedly doing a nice job filling out the bullpen without high-dollar, long-term additions, but falling well short of fans' expectations when the Tucker trade initially happened. And if you think that's about to change, MLB insider Jesse Rogers has some oceanfront property in central Illinois he'd like to sell you.

Cubs re-signing Kyle Tucker would be a surprise for the ages

With everyone anxiously awaiting the start of Game 2 of the NLDS Monday night, Rogers somewhat casually dropped this gem on X, saying the Cubs 'were never going to' re-sign Tucker and, to drive the point home even further, added, 'anyone that said different was wrong.'

What Rogers is saying in and of itself isn't a surprise. Or, at least, it shouldn't be. The Cubs - one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world - have given out just one $100 million contract in the last seven years - Dansby Swanson's seven-year, $177 million pact in 2023. When given opportunities to be aggressive, time and time again, they shy away, instead focusing on value adds and gambles.

Re-signing Tucker who, despite his injury-riddled and largely ineffective second half, could command $400 million on the open market this offseason should be viewed as a complete impossibility. It's a hard truth to swallow, but one that only a fool would talk himself into. After all, Chicago has never even given out a $200 million deal. You mean to tell me they're going to double that up this winter? OK, sure.

Layer in the fact the team has built-in successors already on the roster in Moises Ballesteros (DH), Owen Caissie (OF) and Seiya Suzuki (OF) and the writing is on the wall: Kyle Tucker isn't coming back and, on the North Side of Chicago, the goal is simply 'be good enough to get into the postseason'. There is no 'World Series-or-bust' mentality - and it's unlikely such a mindset will ever be adopted under this ownership or front office.