The Kyle Tucker trade now looks like Jed Hoyer’s latest big blunder

The Chicago Cubs' 2025 season is over, and there's a complete assessment that can be made on the Cubs' decision to trade for Kyle Tucker last December. It was a bold swing for Jed Hoyer, who sent a starting third baseman, one of the team's top prospects, and a young starting pitcher with untapped potential to the Astros for one season of Tucker. Many wanted to instantly grade the trade for the Cubs last December, but given the circumstances, the final grade couldn't have been made until after the season.

First and foremost, we need to say the obvious part out loud: The Cubs had to leave last offseason with an impact bat in their starting lineup. Considering the Cubs weren't in the market for Juan Soto and made a laughable attempt to sign Alex Bregman, it makes sense why Hoyer was compelled to trade for Tucker. And during the first half of the season, the plan seemed to be working perfectly.

Tucker was an early favorite for the National League MVP award, and the Cubs were flirting with being one of the best teams in baseball. One thing is clear: the Cubs are not playing in October without the performance from Tucker during the opening months of the season. However, Tucker, being the impact bat, was meant to make the biggest difference for the Cubs in the actual playoffs. Instead, Tucker, along with the rest of the Cubs' starting lineup, looked lifeless.

Kyle Tucker has officially become Jed Hoyer’s most frustrating miss

For better or worse, lifeless is the last impression that Cubs fans will have of Tucker. Sure, the Cubs will say that they plan on talking to Tucker about a new contract, but we've seen this act before. He has played his last game with the Cubs.

Which leaves us with the question of did the Cubs win the Tucker trade? The clear answer to the question is no, but not for anything that involves Tucker. Again, the Cubs do not reach the playoffs without the production of Tucker during the opening of the first half. However, where the Cubs lost the trade is that the rest of the moves they made did not have the impression that they were aware that they only had one season of Tucker in their lineup.

Where the Cubs lost the Tucker trade is that with him only guaranteed to have one season on the North Side, they should've made sure they had the best offer for Bregman. The Tucker trade was lost at the MLB trade when the Cubs had a clear need for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, but ended up with Michael Soroka. Had they approached the rest of the season with the urgency they had with the trade for Tucker, perhaps it would have a different look to it as they prepare for an appearance in the NLCS. Instead, the handling of the trade was a failure.