This mega-star who's a perfect fit for the Chicago Cubs may never hit free agency

If Kyle Tucker does what most expect him to do and plays out the 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs before hitting free agency in search of a mega-deal next winter, it will surprise no one.

But it also wouldn't mean the Cubs are doomed (assuming ownership decides to step in the ring with the other large-market teams across the league in free agency). But there will be another clear top prize alongside Tucker out there for the taking: former American League MVP Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Prior to the Tucker trade, a large contingent of Cubs fans were clamoring for Jed Hoyer to make a run at acquiring Guerrero Jr., despite the fact that he, like Tucker, is heading into his final season of team control. But those who are still dreaming of Vladdy taking aim at the rooftops across the street from Wrigley Field need to sit down for what I need to say.

The Chicago Cubs may never get a chance to even talk with him.

According to reports, the Toronto Blue Jays are engaged in talks with their superstar slugger to buy out his final year of arbitration and lock him up on a long-term deal this winter. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) believes it will take a deal north of $500 million to prevent him from testing free agency, a steep price for a bat-first corner infielder.

Guerrero Jr. will head into the 2026 season at age-27 which, similarly to Juan Soto, is a young age to his the open market. He's a tremendous offensive talent coming off one of the best seasons of his career to-date: a 6.2 bWAR, 30-homer, 102-RBI campaign buoyed by a ridiculous .376/.450/.678 slash line in the second half.

Even if he does play out his final year in Toronto and test free agency, it's hard to imagine the Cubs getting involved at half-billion dollars given Guerrero Jr.'s skillset. I could, actually, see Chicago getting in that $400+ million range for someone like Tucker who is a more complete all-around player who does pretty much everything well. But those dreams of Vladdy may be for naught if the Jays respond to years of being the bridesmaid and never the bride on almost every marquee free agent by locking up their superstar for the rest of his career.