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Cubs Facing Major Kyle Tucker Decision After $504 Million Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Apr 7, 2025 12:55 PM ET

Outfielder Kyle Tucker is playing his first season with the Chicago Cubs after the team traded for him from the Houston Astros in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski and 2024 first-round Draft pick Cam Smith

However, he's set to become a free agent when the season concludes, and it's unclear if Chicago can afford the large price tag that Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic suggests Tucker could fetch.

"In open bidding, his AAV figures to be at least $40 million," Rosenthal wrote. "And maybe a good bit higher. Twelve years, $42 million a year, a $504 million guarantee? Cubs owner Tom Ricketts already is weeping."

Handing out that kind of money would certainly be unusual for the Cubs, as shortstop Dansby Swanson has the largest contract in the team's history at just seven years, $177 million.

Tucker could certainly prove worth it, though, who in his first seven years in MLB, has been named an All-Star three times, while slashing .274/.353/.516 with an OPS of .870 in 2,241 at-bats.

Even to start the 2025 season, he has been on fire for the Cubs, appearing in all 12 games while accumulating 47 at-bats, 15 hits, 13 runs scored, five home runs, 15 RBI, 12 walks and an OPS of 1.202.

Now, it will remain to be seen if the Cubs are willing to shell out that kind of money and make Tucker the highest-paid player in franchise history.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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