Former MLB exec throws cold water on Cubs' Kyle Tucker extension hopes

Since Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer swung the trade for outfielder Kyle Tucker, there's been equal parts excitement and trepidation around talk of a possible extension. Unfortunately, one former MLB executive, David Samson, threw cold water on the idea that the team could secure a "hometown discount" in extension talks.

That discount has been one of the big hopes of Cubs fans since Tucker arrived. The idea that he might like Chicago enough to sign an extension before hitting free agency, and not ask for the moon, has been a dream. Samson wants people to understand that it's implausible for Tucker to sign before he hits free agency. If he does, it won't be for a small amount.

Kyle Tucker extension hopes dim as former MLB exec predicts Cubs will need to overpay

"I promise you," Samson said during an appearance on 670 The Score. "He's not giving you a hometown discount. No matter how much he loves the Cubs and how great it's been, he's not saying, 'oh, I'm only gonna negotiate with the Cubs.'"

Samson's comments were hardly outrageous. There was no realistic chance that Tucker would sign a discount deal with the Chicago Cubs before the season was over. With just around 65 games to go, it's even less likely. However, Samson wasn't done stomping on any hopes of a miracle.

"If you get him signed before free agency, it'll be an overpay, I promise you that. And if he goes to free agency, then you're gonna be subject to which teams are willing to do the overpay."

If nothing else, it's yet another reminder that Kyle Tucker could very well be one and done for the Chicago Cubs. The team understands this, considering how the front office carried out the MLB Draft earlier this week. Here's hoping Samson is wrong and the club does pull off something no one realistically sees coming.