Cubs stay true to form by ignoring Kyle Tucker like he’s not a perfect fit

It was odd that the Chicago Cubs were so willing to tell everyone last offseason that they weren't going to be involved in the free-agent sweepstakes for Juan Soto, but how they have handled Kyle Tucker is even stranger. Despite the acknowledgement that having Tucker healthy and performing during the first half of the season was why their offense was so successful, the Cubs seem to be resigned to the fact that they won't be signing him this offseason.

The Cubs stand to gain a draft pick once Tucker signs elsewhere, but there wouldn't be a selection available that could help their offense next season. Tucker would be the clear fit, but it seems the team is ready to watch him from afar.

Initially, it would seem that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are the top teams in Tucker's sweepstakes. However, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon suggested that the Baltimore Orioles could make a surprising run at Tucker.

Despite just making a trade for an outfielder in Taylor Ward, the potential plan for the Orioles would be to sign Tucker and then trade from their outfield surplus to add cost-controlled starting pitching. It's ironic, considering that from a roster perspective, the Cubs are in a similar position.

The Baltimore Orioles' interest in Kyle Tucker further exposes the weirdness of the Cubs' offseason.

Like the Orioles, the Cubs have no shortage of outfielders. Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Owen Caissie, and Kevin Alcantara already being on the Major League roster seems to be the reason why the Cubs are comfortable letting Tucker walk this offseason. Also, like the Orioles, the Cubs have the priority of adding multiple arms to their pitching staff this winter.

It's almost like the Orioles realize they need pitching, but almost understand that Tucker is the type of bat that can transform an offense. Of course, the Cubs are already aware of that, but don't appear to be interested in making that their long-term reality this offseason.

Above all else, the Orioles' interest in Tucker is just another indictment of the Cubs' offseason. The Cubs remain stubborn to a fault, and there hasn't been proof that their current strategy works.