Kyle Tucker's absurd contract details make Cubs fans wonder why they ever added him

Now that there is closure to Kyle Tucker's only season with the Chicago Cubs, it seems that Cubs fans are feeling more comfortable to say what most have felt since the start of July: Tucker's time in Chicago, while starting on an incredibly high note, ended with it being clear that the 2025 National League Silver Slugger wasn't a fit.

When the offseason started, the impression was the Cubs weren't going to re-sign Tucker because they didn't have the resources to invest into a impact bat in free agency. The Alex Bregman signing proved otherwise.

In detailing why the Cubs were so eager to sign Bregman to a five-year deal worth $175 million, Jed Hoyer seemed to take an indirect shot at Tucker. Behind the scenes, Tucker wasn't the multiplier initially thought they were getting, and that speaks to why the 2025 All-Star was so eager to go to Los Angeles.

Kyle Tucker’s shocking contract terms are making Cubs fans ready to say how they really feel.

With the Dodgers, Tucker doesn't have to be the guy; he can just be a guy. That detail can be the determining factor for teams when shelling out large contracts, and it could be the reason why Tucker never got that offer worth $400 million this offseason.

Tucker's contract with the Dodgers is wildly absurd. On the surface, it's $240 million for 4 years. The deal includes $30 million deferred and opt-outs after the second and third years. The Dodgers also handed over $64 million to Tucker as a signing bonus, with $54 million being paid to him right away. All to lower the present-day value of his AAV, which will sit just under $60 million.

Tucker got paid, yes, but in choosing the Dodgers, he found a situation where he could take the money while deferring the spotlight to the other stars on the roster.

It's a contract that is going to be pointed to next offseason when the labor dispute is the theme of the offseason. It's a contract that has turned Tucker into a villain, and it's hard to argue against him having that reputation. Ultimately, Tucker earned every right to sign that deal.

Above all else, it also signals the last time the Cubs might make such a move. There certainly are going to be instances when the Cubs go after a rental player, but perhaps not to the extent that they pursued a Tucker trade last offseason. They knew the player they were getting, but they weren't aware of the person they were getting. That difference, among other reasons, is why the trade will go down as a failure.