Kyle Tucker’s contract projection makes Cubs reunion feel doomed

Kyle Tucker's thank you to Chicago Cubs fans and Jed Hoyer's end-of-season remarks didn't directly confirm that the two sides were going to go in separate directions this offseason, but that was the takeaway most had. It was an awkward end to Tucker's first (and only?) season with the Cubs as a pair of injuries may have exposed that he and the team weren't on the same page. An important detail for what may lie ahead for Tucker this offseason.

Tucker's contract projection was a major talking point throughout the regular season, with early projections suggesting that the All-Star outfielder could fetch a deal over $600MM. The availability concerns that surfaced during the final two months of the season have likely ruled out that number. However, one projection still sees Tucker getting paid this offseason.

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter made some early projections, and for Tucker, he sees a 10-year, $350MM contract in his future. It may signal a dramatic change in circumstances for Tucker and the Cubs.

Latest Kyle Tucker projection makes his Cubs exit feel inevitable

If the Cubs were told at the start of the 2025 season that it would only cost $350MM to ensure Tucker remained with them for the next decade, they would have jumped at that opportunity. However, the one thing the team was hoping for may have worked against them.

After trading for Tucker last offseason, the Cubs were hoping that a season of playing his home games at Wrigley Field would be a selling point. Instead, for Tucker, it may have been a realization that he may want to play his games elsewhere, considering how Wrigley Field has leaned toward being pitcher-friendly over the last two years.

Looking beyond circumstances on the field, it would also seem that the Cubs are shying away from financial commitments beyond the 2026 season. The looming work stoppage for the 2027 teams has teams cautious in terms of what spending and payroll look like with a new collective bargaining agreement.

In a world where Tucker was willing to take a short-term deal with a high-AAV, it would seem likely that the Cubs would have interest in that. However, with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox looming in the bidding for Tucker, it would seem likely that the Cubs will be priced out of the sweepstakes.