MLB insider floats lifeline to Cubs fans begging for Kyle Tucker contract hope

The discourse of Kyle Tucker will always be centered around his next contract and whether or not the Chicago Cubs will be able to get an extension done in-season before Tucker hits free agency next winter.

Tucker has been everything the Cubs hoped for when they traded for him last December. Entering play on Saturday, Tucker is carrying an 181 wRC+ with 7 home runs through his 128 plate appearances this season. Tucker's hot start to the season has begged the question of why he would even entertain signing a new contract during the season, but it's not as impossible as Cubs fans may think it is.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post provides the newest round of optimism for Cubs fans. Comparing Tucker's free agency to Pete Alonso's, Heyman mentions that it's more likely that Tucker would sign during the season. Heyman cites the Cubs' ongoing relationship with Excel Sports Management, the agency representing Tucker, and that the two sides are expected to talk about a new contract this summer.

The biggest reason why Heyman believes a Tucker extension is more likely is because of the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. contract. Heyman notes that Alonso will likely be looking to get the $35.7MM-AAV that Guerrero has, but it's more likely that the Cubs would be willing to pay Tucker the 14-year, $500MM contract that the Blue Jays' first baseman signed. Along those lines, Heyman cited a source in saying the Guerrero contract was a fair comparison for what Tucker can expect.

Kyle Tucker contract rumors won't go away anytime soon

The Cubs are saying all the right things when talking about Tucker. Jed Hoyer hasn't shied away from saying that Tucker is the type of player a team should many for multiple seasons ahead. And sure, I get why the Cubs would want Tucker to fall in love with Wrigley Field first. But it's Wrigley Field, that was going to be an immediate occurrence. At the end of the day, it will come down to the Cubs being willing to pay Tucker the price that he will command. It's as simple as that.